The Forgotten: How the People of One Pennsylvania County Elected Donald Trump and Changed America

Pennsylvania is coal country. Luzerne County is the heart of Pennsylvania coal. The author, Ben Bradlee Jr. pinpointed this section of the nation as a critical swing vote for the current administration. While many of us ponder how in the world Trump was elected, Bradlee went directly to the voters themselves and found out how falling wages, the decline in the demand for coal, and anger at being marginalized in the political process contributed to Luzerne County’s vote. His interview reveals that mudslinging, false statements and right-wing media claims were the culprits. Also, these voters have seen immigrants settle in “their county;” they feared losing their way of life. There is no argument that the middle-class has disappeared—the only debate is who or what is to blame or if anyone or one thing can be blamed. Bradlee is a good writer. I enjoyed that he let his interviewees speak for themselves. The book reveals the depth of our misunderstandings. The Forgotten is an excellent attempt at understanding the vast gulfs that separate Americans and their ideas.