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The Unwinding
An Inner History of the New America
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Check link for latest rating. ( 12,350 ratings, 1,534 reviews)
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See moreA riveting examination of a nation in crisis, from one of the finest political journalists of our generation. Packer journeys through the lives of several Americans including a son of a tobacco farmer, a factory worker in the Rust Belt, a Washington insider, a Silicon Valley billionaire, and others.
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Description
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK
AN NPR BEST BOOK
Selected by New York Times' critic Dwight Garner as a Favourite Book
A Washington Post Best Political Book
A New Republic Best Book
American society is at a crossroads, and The Unwinding by George Packer offers a profound and intricate tapestry of this national turbulence. Without divulging specific outcomes, the narrative explores how the last three decades have reshaped the landscape of the United States, leaving behind a trail of upheaval and transformation. Through the lives of ordinary Americans, whose stories resound with struggle and resilience, Packer examines the growing divide between wealth and poverty and the erosion of traditional values amidst the rise of modernity.
The Unwinding follows an eclectic ensemble, including Dean Price, who emerges from his roots in tobacco farming to become a champion of innovation amidst declining opportunities in the rural South. Readers will meet Tammy Thomas, a factory worker navigating the decay of her once-thriving Rust Belt city, striving to hold onto hope and dignity amid an array of challenges. The book also features Jeff Connaughton, whose journey among the power players of Washington reveals the complex dance between high ideals and the intoxicating influence of money. Meanwhile, Peter Thiel’s path illuminates the paradoxical future envisioned by tech titans as he scrutinises the digital revolution's true implications.
Against these personal odysseys, Packer weaves biographical snapshots of influential figures, from the political machinations of Newt Gingrich to the cultural impact of Jay-Z. Through a collage of headlines, slogans, and lyrics, the narrative captures the zeitgeist of contemporary America—demonstrating the dizzying array of changes shaping its citizens' lives.
With a blend of novelistic flair and journalistic acumen, The Unwinding paints a portrait of a nation at the brink of fracture, where institutional frameworks crumble and the population is tasked with charting new courses. This ambitious work stands as a vivid chronicle of a superpower's existential reckoning, prompting readers to ponder the future of American society and their place within it.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Unwinding by George Packer has received acclaim for its insightful and gripping portrayal of the decline of America's social and economic fabric. Reviewers praise its Steinbeckian narrative quality and rich, intimate storytelling, likening it to a nonfiction masterpiece. The book is noted for its compelling and multifaceted portrayal of American life, blending individual stories with a broader historical perspective, and is described as both harrowing and poignant, offering an American voice of clarity and humanity.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780374534608
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 March 2014
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 386g
Pages: 448
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About the Author
George Packer is an award-winning author and staff writer at The Atlantic. His books include The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America (winner of the National Book Award), The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq, and Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century (winner of the Hitchens Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography). He is also the author of novels and a play, and the editor of a two-volume edition of the essays of George Orwell.
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