I grew up in the same part of the country around the same time as the author. While I agree not everything in the book is a fully realistic depiction, it is honestly highly accurate in many regards. It goes in depth with the type of inconsistent, moralistic and tribal decision making and thought process in Appalachia in a more detailed and accurate way than I’ve seen in almost any other account.
I’d suggest to also read the book Dreamland about the opioid and prescription drug epidemic in Appalachia.
Between base knowledge of how tribal morals work there, how skills gap unemployment had hit that area, and how the addiction crisis has hit them, it helps dramatically to understand why it creates a conservative-leaning voting bloc that feels scared of modern progressive politics and would generally vote modern Republican despite having deep historical roots in voting Democrat as a worker solidarity signal.
I’d suggest to also read the book Dreamland about the opioid and prescription drug epidemic in Appalachia.
Between base knowledge of how tribal morals work there, how skills gap unemployment had hit that area, and how the addiction crisis has hit them, it helps dramatically to understand why it creates a conservative-leaning voting bloc that feels scared of modern progressive politics and would generally vote modern Republican despite having deep historical roots in voting Democrat as a worker solidarity signal.