Review by Choice Review
Recent books about the Middle West suggest a scenario of outmigration, aging populations, and dying small towns (Patrick J. Carr and Maria J. Kefalas, Hollowing out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America, CH, Apr'10, 47-4732; Richard Wood, Survival of Rural America: Small Victories and Bitter Harvests, CH, Apr'09, 46-4757). This report of research conducted in the late 2000s provides a different narrative. Well-respected sociologist Wuthnow (Princeton) interweaves interviews, diaries and memoirs, and census data into a series of case studies to describe a region that is thriving in the new economy, primarily because of culture and institutions. The basic argument is that the Middle West was still recovering from the Great Depression when faced with challenges of the 1980s and 1990s. Historical investments in education and a culture of survival have allowed the region to adjust to changing agriculture and suburbanization to remain socially and economically healthy, for the most part. The book is well written, documented, and argued. Of special note are the discussion of ethnic diversity and the development of edge cities. While not denying the demise of small places (less than 500), the discussion of larger communities is compelling and optimistic. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. A. A. Hickey Western Carolina University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
