Strangers in Their Own Land

Anger and Mourning on the American Right

By: Arlie Russell Hochschild

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

In Strangers in Their Own Land, the renowned sociologist Arlie Hochschild embarks on a thought-provoking journey from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, California, deep into Louisiana bayou country - a stronghold of the conservative right. As she gets to know people who strongly oppose many of the ideas she famously champions, Hochschild nevertheless finds common ground and quickly warms to the people she meets, among them a Tea Party activist whose town has been swallowed by a sinkhole caused by a drilling accident - people whose concerns are actually ones that all Americans share: the desire for community, the embrace of family, and hopes for their children.

Strangers in Their Own Land goes beyond the commonplace liberal idea that these are people who have been duped into voting against their own interests. Instead Hochschild finds lives ripped apart by stagnant wages, a loss of home, an elusive American dream - and political choices and views that make sense in the context of their lives. Hochschild draws on her expert knowledge of the sociology of emotion to help us understand what it feels like to live in "red" America. Along the way she finds answers to one of the crucial questions of contemporary American politics: Why do the people who would seem to benefit most from "liberal" government intervention abhor the very idea?

Cover image © Richard Misrach, courtesy Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York and Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Los Angeles

©2016 Arlie Russell Hochschild (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

if you read one book about Trump voters, read this

Strangers in their own land offers the respectful and compassionate perspective we need if we are going to bridge our divides and have democracy together. Only by understanding and respecting each other can we negotiate the best possible compromise.

I can't get past the narration

The snooty-sounding elocution of the narrator seems to play into all the stereotypes of an elite left. For me, the tone separates the narrator/author from the subjects she's trying so hard to connect with and is in direct tension with the intent of the book. I wonder if I could enjoy this with a different narrator, or by just reading it. Definitely not a book improved by listening on audible.

Interesting, but not surprising

If you follow politics and social sciences at all you will likely have come across much of the content presented here. What makes the book stand out is a focus on the personal narratives of the people of Louisiana. The narrator was initially off-putting, but I grew used to her delivery as the book went on. Overall, an interesting perspective on how the right views environmental policy.

Agreat primer on how to think about the opposition

I loved the book. It helped me understand the opposition's thought processes, motivations, and the context in which the election happened.

Phenomenal book that will open your mind and heart

A fantastic read for anyone seeking to better understand the alt-rig movement and the tea party activists. Would recommend this to everyone considering how politically divisive our country has become.

Great book

have a better appreciation of the perspective of those she interviewed, but still find it puzzling. I think that it is important for all of us to seek to understand those we dont agree with even if we end up continuing to disagree.

Extra star for author having to work in Louisiana

Very interesting and relevant topic but revealed to be bleak, depressing, even soul-crushing content to help to explain some of the macro trends in our national and local politics.

The groups of people represented by the “working families” in the Louisiana communities the author studied seem hopeless and minded in self-centered aggrandizement, even when it’s rooted in squalor. With their ignorance deeply rooted across generations, they seem beyond hope for any intellectual redemption. The true nature of the corrosiveness of FOX News and social media like Facebook and Twitter is revealed, and the reader/listener can be forgiven for losing hope in America.

Must read for political moderates

What made the experience of listening to Strangers in Their Own Land the most enjoyable?

Complex issues are easy to conceptualize. The "Deep Stories" of the politically right and left were helpful in understanding and remembering the concepts of the great paradox and the empathy wall in the book.

What other book might you compare Strangers in Their Own Land to and why?

Hillbilly Elegy

What about Suzanne Toren’s performance did you like?

voice is easy to listen to and it was like listening to the author.

If you could give Strangers in Their Own Land a new subtitle, what would it be?

Reduce political partisanism

Any additional comments?

At the end of the book she forgets the ideas of staying objective with the empathy wall and provides only the politically left view in her data.

Well-written, but I didn't learn anything.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was time well-spent because it covered a social terrain that I had not experienced myself. However, as I mentioned in the title, the book humanized many stereotypes I had about southern white Christians, but did nothing to alter those stereotypes.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The writer does an amazing job of creating captivating stories out of the people she interviewed. She presents them without cynicism or irony, never patronizing them, and does genuinely try to understand their views and their lives.To have such a balanced, nuanced story come from someone so strongly representing the Left was refreshing and inspiring. The stereotypes have not really been altered, but she takes great care to not make her subjects into caricatures.

What about Suzanne Toren’s performance did you like?

Toren's performance was phenomenal. I thought she did a great job with all the different accents, but as I said above these are not regional dialects I'm familiar with. So people from that area may be offended. I don't know.

Was Strangers in Their Own Land worth the listening time?

Overall I'd say it's not really worth the listening time. Part of doing research for a piece is considering if the information you're getting is different than what people already know. Or, to say it differently, if you're adding anything new to the conversation. But anyone who spends one entire day watching MSNBC and another entire day watching Fox News will learn everything that's in this book. That said, the information offered in Appendix C is worth the price of admission alone.

Any additional comments?

On it's reprinting, this book should be retitled, "Biting My Tongue For Five Years in Contemporary Louisiana As I Watched Countless Numbers of Republicans Refuse To Recognize White Privilege While Continually Shooting Themselves in the Foot." That's kind of clunky and long though. I don't know; I'm not in publishing.

insightful

The book gave me a much needed insight into people voting against there interest​ and how big business and political leaders can rude a communities life.