Janesville Book Summary

Book Summary

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Brief Summary

"Janesville" by Amy Goldstein is a non-fiction book that tells the story of a small Wisconsin town and its people in the aftermath of the closure of a major General Motors plant. The book follows the lives of workers who lost their jobs, community leaders, and politicians as they try to cope with the economic fallout and find new ways to revitalize their community. It offers a poignant and insightful account of the human impact of deindustrialization and the challenges faced by those trying to rebuild their lives in its wake.

About the Author

Amy Goldstein is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. She spent 30 years at The Washington Post, where she covered a wide range of topics, including healthcare, social policy, and politics. Goldstein has also written for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and other publications.

In 2017, Goldstein published her first book, "Janesville: An American Story”. "Janesville" has been widely praised for its depth and empathy. The book was a finalist for the 2017 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year award, and was named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications.

Goldstein's work has focused on issues of social justice and inequality, and she has won numerous awards for her reporting on healthcare policy and the impact of the Affordable Care Act. Her reporting on the opioid epidemic won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting.

Overall, Amy Goldstein is a highly respected journalist and author who has a talent for telling important stories with empathy and nuance. "Janesville" is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, and offers a valuable perspective on the challenges facing working-class Americans in the 21st century.

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Quick Summary

"Janesville: An American Story" by Amy Goldstein is a non-fiction book that explores the effects of the closure of a General Motors (GM) plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, and its impact on the town and its people. The book follows the lives of several individuals and families in Janesville over a period of five years, from the announcement of the plant closure in 2008 to the aftermath of the 2012 presidential election.

The book provides a detailed and nuanced portrait of a community grappling with the loss of its economic backbone, and the social and psychological impacts of long-term unemployment and economic insecurity. Through interviews with workers, their families, community leaders, and local politicians, Goldstein paints a vivid picture of the challenges and opportunities faced by those affected by the plant closure.

The book begins with the announcement of the closure of the GM plant in Janesville, which had been a major employer in the town for almost a century. The plant closure resulted in the loss of over 5,000 jobs, and sent shockwaves through the community. Goldstein then follows the stories of several individuals and families who were directly impacted by the plant closure, including laid-off workers, union leaders, and community activists.

One of the main themes of the book is the struggle faced by laid-off workers and their families as they try to find new employment in a town with limited job opportunities. Goldstein profiles several individuals who went through the retraining and job-search process, and documents their successes and failures in finding new work. She also explores the impact of the plant closure on the mental health of the community, including the rise in depression and suicide rates.

Another major theme of the book is the political fallout of the plant closure. Goldstein examines the role of local politicians and community leaders in responding to the crisis, and the debates over the role of government in addressing the economic challenges faced by Janesville. She also documents the impact of the 2012 presidential election on the town, and how the election results reflected the deepening political and ideological divides within the community.

Part 1 – 2008

Part 1 covers the initial shock and disbelief that swept through the town of Janesville, Wisconsin, in 2008 when General Motors (GM) announced the closure of its local plant. The Janesville GM plant had been a major employer in the town for almost a century, and the closure resulted in the loss of over 5,000 jobs.

Goldstein begins the section with a detailed account of the day that the plant closure was announced, and the immediate reactions of workers and community leaders. She highlights the shock and disbelief that many workers felt upon hearing the news, and the sense of betrayal that some felt towards GM, which had promised to keep the plant open until at least 2010.

The section also provides an overview of the history of the Janesville plant, and its central role in the economic and social life of the town. Goldstein notes that the plant had...