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I just finished “Hillbilly Elegy” by Ohio Senator and Republican Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance. I hate listened to this book and I hated it as expected but not to the degree I thought I would. The book has some value and merit.

I think there is something to be gained from reading or listening to this book. But Senator Vance’s story highlights the hypocrisy of his political party.”Hillbilly Elegy” is not exactly entertaining. JD Vance did a good job of narrating but his voice is a bit flat. But it’s still an interesting read especially in these times.

“Hillbilly Elegy” is JD Vance’s life story. He grew up in Kentucky and Ohio in a dysfunctional, poor family. After high school JD went to the Marines in the Iraq War era, Stanford and Yale law school. He reflects on his life from a position of financial security and success.

JD offers his sociological theories about the problems of what he refers to as the White, working class. He uses the term White, working class interchangeably with Hillbilly. I don’t have a dog in this fight but this book is a disrespectful towards White people that are not well educated with professional careers. They really should not support Republicans any more than Black Americans, immigrants, women or the LGBT community should.

I enjoyed the way JD Vance talked about how reliable and protective his late grandmother, MeeMaw was. I love the way he never doubted her loyalty and love for her family. I enjoyed hearing about Senator Vance’s military experience. I respect US soldiers.

The senator talked about his Ivy League experience. He talked a lot about social capital and networking. JD Vance said successful people get that way due to multi generational social capital, networking, knowing the right people, being liked by the right people, having the right suit and knowing how to act.

The Republican platform has told poor and working class people that hard work was the key to success for generations.  They are very hypocritical.  Republicans have acted as if wealth is a virtue and poverty is a character flaw. “Hillbilly Elegy” goes into detail about social capital and connections being the key to success.

“Hillbilly Elegy” is worth your time if you’re interested in politics, current events and perhaps sociology even though Senator Vance doesn’t offer many hard numbers or talks about research. I’ve read several books written by political figures (actually all written by the Obamas). It’s worthwhile to get to know the backgrounds of our law makers. This book has also been adapted to a film version if you don’t feel like reading or listening to it.