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rhoelle's review against another edition
3.0
Has some useful data and good ideas, but accompanied by so much unnecessary flab.
Could use better structuring as well.
The whole chapter about how LBJ lost the South can be skipped by anyone who has been following politics for a while.
Tends to use a bunch of unnecessary, repetitive, redundant anecdotes, so ended up skimming a lot to find the meat.
A book about polarization should really have had a conservative co-author. It would have been a better book.
Should have discussed how Fox News deliberately tries to divide the electorate for its own benefit.
Certain other questions have other explanations that are not discussed.
Things I remember liking:
- the Aaron Burr story was new to me
- the way that the two parties have flip-flopped on certain issues
- the concept of how people allow identity groups to think for them instead of thinking for themselves
Could use better structuring as well.
The whole chapter about how LBJ lost the South can be skipped by anyone who has been following politics for a while.
Tends to use a bunch of unnecessary, repetitive, redundant anecdotes, so ended up skimming a lot to find the meat.
A book about polarization should really have had a conservative co-author. It would have been a better book.
Should have discussed how Fox News deliberately tries to divide the electorate for its own benefit.
Certain other questions have other explanations that are not discussed.
Things I remember liking:
- the Aaron Burr story was new to me
- the way that the two parties have flip-flopped on certain issues
- the concept of how people allow identity groups to think for them instead of thinking for themselves
jimmyceroneii's review against another edition
5.0
Endlessly fascinating take that mixes psychology, history, and an expertise in news media. A great pair with Jonathan Haidt’s Righteous Mind.
casebounder's review against another edition
4.0
“The fact that voters ultimately treated Trump as if he were just another Republican speaks to the enormous weight party polarization now exerts on our politics—a weight so heavy that it can take an election as bizarre as 2016 and jam the result into the same grooves as Romney’s contest with Obama or Bush’s race against Kerry. We are so locked into our political identities that there is virtually no candidate, no information, no condition, that can force us to change our minds. We will justify almost anything or anyone so long as it helps our side, and the result is a politics devoid of guardrails, standards, persuasion, or accountability.”
4/5 stars — and added to my Bookshop nonfic list. I super appreciate Ezra Klein’s perspective on modern politics. Does anyone listen to his Vox podcast? I’m gonna give it a go. Also he recently posted an interview with Madeline Miller??
4/5 stars — and added to my Bookshop nonfic list. I super appreciate Ezra Klein’s perspective on modern politics. Does anyone listen to his Vox podcast? I’m gonna give it a go. Also he recently posted an interview with Madeline Miller??
leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a fan of the author and have been for the last decade or so. I think that makes me slightly bias to how good this book is.
Klein is able to explain complex policy and politics in a way everyone can understand. The reasons we are polarized seems obvious but this explains the why and how and what it means. I found a lot of the reasons really interesting.
Highly recommend if you’re interested in politics.
Klein is able to explain complex policy and politics in a way everyone can understand. The reasons we are polarized seems obvious but this explains the why and how and what it means. I found a lot of the reasons really interesting.
Highly recommend if you’re interested in politics.
basepi's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent summary of what led us to today’s mess of polarization. Very interesting historical look and bringing together of all the various pieces. I wish it had more hope for the future, but I guess that’s for us to make.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
jthunderrr's review against another edition
5.0
Cannot recommend this book highly enough. Klein’s analysis is easy to read (devoured this in one sitting) and informed by history, sociology, psychology, media analysis, and political science. I learned so much, and Klein skillfully articulates and brings together research (hello familiar names of academics from grad school) and current events.
Read this - it’s extremely relevant for interpreting the results of our most recent presidential election (and the election of a Democratic centrist) and considering where we go from here.
Read this - it’s extremely relevant for interpreting the results of our most recent presidential election (and the election of a Democratic centrist) and considering where we go from here.