The Left Behind

By: Robert Wuthnow

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Robert Wuthnow (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

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.

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.

Insightful

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

very recognizable

it is so easy to get angry and call names. but it is very hard to explain why things are the way they are. this book shares what divides us and that that which divides us can easily be overcome by communication and attention.

Horrible Narration

I should have listened to the sample before wasting a credit. Cannot stand the narrator’s voice. Got through 1 chapter but cannot take it any longer. The info is interesting but you cannot get past that voice