Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right BY Arlie Russell Hochschild

In Stolen Pride, acclaimed author Arlie Russell Hochschild embarks on an illuminating journey into Appalachia, specifically Pikeville, Kentucky, to explore the "pride paradox" that has fueled political shifts in America. Following her celebrated Strangers in Their Own Land, Hochschild examines how deep economic and cultural losses have eroded pride in a once-thriving region, making residents vulnerable to powerful political narratives that feel like a response to their stolen dignity.

Pikeville, situated in the whitest and second-poorest congressional district in the nation, faced devastating challenges as coal jobs disappeared, poverty surged, and a drug crisis ravaged the community. Despite its historical significance in American politics, the district overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Hochschild's exploration of the town’s reaction to a white nationalist march in 2017 reveals the complexities of a community grappling with its identity and future.

Focusing on blue-collar men, Hochschild introduces readers to a diverse cast of characters found in small churches, roadside diners, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Through their stories, she provides a nuanced perspective on the intersection of pride, politics, and survival in contemporary America. Stolen Pride serves as both a sobering analysis of current political dynamics and a hopeful exploration of potential pathways forward, inviting readers to understand the profound effects of cultural loss and the importance of reclaiming dignity in turbulent times.