Hillbilly Elegy is subtitled A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, and as the title indicates, that culture is 'hillbilly', the poor white people of the Appalachian region of the US. The book came out around the time that Donald Trump was being elected president, mostly, we are told, because the rust belt states which surround Appalachia 'changed sides' due to disaffection with political elites in Washington, and the improving economy not improving their own lives. The fact of this book coming out at such a time seems to be a coincidence, and it has become essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the reasons for those voters disaffection. I didn't find it especially insightful on that level - it's a powerful memoir of a hillbilly made good, yes, and Vance's background is appalling, but it doesn't really describe what his people want from their government..it's presented as a political book for our times - it's not, it's a memoir. It's very moving in parts, and Vance writes well, but don't expect to come to a greater understanding of why so many people voted against their own interests last year..