Reviews
"[Thomas Schaller and Paul Waldman] persuasively argue that most of the negative stereotypes liberals hold about rural Americans are actually true. They do not mince words about what this means for the future of democracy in America . . . And Schaller and Waldman bring receipts." --The Daily Beast "America's seemingly most patriotic citizens--rural Americans--are losing their faith in democracy because both the Democratic and Republican parties have long ignored their needs. This important book argues that the survival of our democracy depends on our willingness to strengthen the heartland economically, rather than exploit its fears." --Barbara F. Walter, New York Times bestselling author of How Civil Wars Start "With White Rural Rage , Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman have the guts to ask a crucial question: Why do so many white Americans fall for the authoritarian demagoguery now being peddled by the GOP? Moreover, how does this threaten the entire nation? Deploying a deft combination of data analysis and reporting from the heartland, they chronicle the decline of rural America and the rise of grievances that are exploited and weaponized by Republicans to serve a far-right agenda that undermines Middle America and elsewhere. Schaller and Waldman illuminate a critical truth: The main problem with Trumpism is not Donald Trump but Trump voters. This is an important book that ought to be read by anyone who wants to understand politics in the perilous Age of Trump." --David Corn, New York Times bestselling author of American Psychosis " White Rural Rage is a superb treatment of the regional and political divide that is shaping American politics, governance and society. It represents the best of what journalism and political science can do--cogent analysis, backed by data, written in an accessible fashion by authors who got out in the country and met with real people." --Norman J. Ornstein, New York Times bestselling co-author of One Nation After Trump, "Someone write a new elegy for the bilious hillbilly, because these authors went for his jugular . . . Next to their characterizations, 'basket of deplorables' sounds almost quaint, and many readers may find guilty satisfaction in that." --The Washington Post "[Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman] persuasively argue that most of the negative stereotypes liberals hold about rural Americans are actually true. They do not mince words about what this means for the future of democracy in America. . . . And Schaller and Waldman bring receipts." --The Daily Beast "America's seemingly most patriotic citizens--rural Americans--are losing their faith in democracy because both the Democratic and Republican parties have long ignored their needs. This important book argues that the survival of our democracy depends on our willingness to strengthen the heartland economically, rather than exploit its fears." --Barbara F. Walter, New York Times bestselling author of How Civil Wars Start "With White Rural Rage , Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman have the guts to ask a crucial question: Why do so many white Americans fall for the authoritarian demagoguery now being peddled by the GOP? Moreover, how does this threaten the entire nation? Deploying a deft combination of data analysis and reporting from the heartland, they chronicle the decline of rural America and the rise of grievances that are exploited and weaponized by Republicans to serve a far-right agenda that undermines Middle America and elsewhere. Schaller and Waldman illuminate a critical truth: The main problem with Trumpism is not Donald Trump but Trump voters. This is an important book that ought to be read by anyone who wants to understand politics in the perilous Age of Trump." --David Corn, New York Times bestselling author of American Psychosis " White Rural Rage is a superb treatment of the regional and political divide that is shaping American politics, governance and society. It represents the best of what journalism and political science can do--cogent analysis, backed by data, written in an accessible fashion by authors who got out in the country and met with real people." --Norman J. Ornstein, New York Times bestselling co-author of One Nation After Trump, "America's seemingly most patriotic citizens--rural Americans--are losing their faith in democracy because both the Democratic and Republican parties have long ignored their needs. This important book argues that the survival of our democracy depends on our willingness to strengthen the heartland economically, rather than exploit its fears." --Barbara F. Walter, New York Times bestselling author of How Civil Wars Start "With White Rural Rage , Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman have the guts to ask a crucial question: Why do so many white Americans fall for the authoritarian demagoguery now being peddled by the GOP? Moreover, how does this threaten the entire nation? Deploying a deft combination of data analysis and reporting from the heartland, they chronicle the decline of rural America and the rise of grievances that are exploited and weaponized by Republicans to serve a far-right agenda that undermines Middle America and elsewhere. Schaller and Waldman illuminate a critical truth: The main problem with Trumpism is not Donald Trump but Trump voters. This is an important book that ought to be read by anyone who wants to understand politics in the perilous Age of Trump." --David Corn, New York Times bestselling author of American Psychosis " White Rural Rage is a superb treatment of the regional and political divide that is shaping American politics, governance and society. It represents the best of what journalism and political science can do--cogent analysis, backed by data, written in an accessible fashion by authors who got out in the country and met with real people." --Norman J. Ornstein, New York Times bestselling co-author of One Nation After Trump
