The Left Behind

Decline and Rage in Rural America

By: Robert Wuthnow

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

How a fraying social fabric is fueling the outrage of rural Americans

What is fueling rural America's outrage toward the federal government? Why did rural Americans vote overwhelmingly for Donald Trump? And, beyond economic and demographic decline, is there a more nuanced explanation for the growing rural-urban divide?

Drawing on more than a decade of research and hundreds of interviews, Robert Wuthnow brings us into America's small towns, farms, and rural communities to paint a rich portrait of the moral order -the interactions, loyalties, obligations, and identities - underpinning this critical segment of the nation. Wuthnow demonstrates that to truly understand rural Americans' anger, their culture must be explored more fully.

We hear from farmers who want government out of their business, factory workers who believe in working hard to support their families, town managers who find the federal government unresponsive to their communities' needs, and clergy who say the moral climate is being undermined. Wuthnow argues that rural America's fury stems less from specific economic concerns than from the perception that Washington is distant from and yet threatening to the social fabric of small towns. Rural dwellers are especially troubled by Washington's seeming lack of empathy for such small-town norms as personal responsibility, frugality, cooperation, and common sense. Wuthnow also shows that while these communities may not be as discriminatory as critics claim, racism, and misogyny remain embedded in rural patterns of life.

Moving beyond simplistic depictions of the residents of America's heartland, The Left Behind offers a clearer picture of how this important population will influence the nation's political future.

©2018 Princeton University Press (P)2018 Blackstone Publishing

Eye opening look into rural America

Having grown up in a large city but now living in a small rural town, this book has been an eye opener to explain the culture, motivations, and intentions of many living in small towns including mine. This book has opened my own eyes to better ways to understand and interact with my neighbors when coming from completely different political backgrounds.

accurate assessment of rural life

well researched, good review of rural life and living there vs living g in big city

Great insight into rural America

Enjoyed the book and felt like I learned a lot. Would recommend to anyone from a suburb or city.

In-depth overview of rural thinking

This book is for any urbanite in government or politics who wants to build more collective progress in making our democracy and constitution thrive.

Insightful

Very good sociological insight into how and why local, rural communities think. Well written and insightful.