I was amazed, and disappointed, at how widely Hillbilly Elegy was received, and it is obvious now, that Vance is using the popularity of his name (as do so many others) as a stepping stone to elected office and more power. While reading the book, it was very apparent to me that Vance was writing an apologia for racism and that by the book's end he was essentially stating that racism is a good thing. He was not going to change his point of view, and those he unabashedly called racist were not going to change their points of view. If you dont believe me, then read the book again.

I don't know if the publishing industry has pursued riches in books that promote prejudice. I do know, however, that some of them serve as popular self-justification for harmful ideas.