Library Staff Directory
Jul 13, 2018
Join us at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 19th to meet Thomas Frank, author of Listen, Liberal, or Whatever Happened to the Party of the People?. Frank, a political analyst, historian, and journalist, will read from his new book, Rendezvous from Oblivion: Reports from a Sinking Society, take questions from the audience, and sign copies of his books.
2016
Listen, Liberal, or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?
Published shortly after the Democratic National Committee won several national elections, political analyst and journalist Thomas Frank offers a close examination of how the Democrats’ philosophy has changed over the years. The Democratic Party is recognized for advancing liberal goals, fighting for social justice, and helping the working class, but are Democrats moving in the right direction? With Democratic presidents sitting in the White House for roughly two-thirds of the past 24 years, Frank asks – Why is the middle-class declining? Why is there greater inequality between America’s rich and poor? Is cultural elitism taking precedence over the working class? Using both wit and logic, Frank reaches out to Democrats with Listen, Liberal, asking them to return to their roots.
2012
Pity the Billionaire: The Hard-Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right
After the economic collapse of 2008, conservatism experienced a revival, and the Republican Party thrived. Instead of blaming large corporations and corrupt business practices, many Americans put harsher blame on victims while rewarding traditional winners. Plus, the Tea Party evolved as a result from vehement backlash against the liberal establishment, providing support and commitment to a system that failed a majority of American citizens. How did conservatives change perceptions to benefit themselves? How did the Grand Old Party capitalize on people’s despair? Using in-depth reporting, extensive knowledge of Right Wing America, and a strong sense of humor, historian and journalist Thomas Frank tries to make sense of the baffling political results following economic calamity in this piercing read.
2004
What’s the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America
In What’s the Matter with Kansas?, social observer Thomas Frank explores the conservative revolution in his home state of Kansas. Conservatism, which was once the political party of class and privilege, has now become the party of ordinary, everyday Americans. How did this happen? Nowhere else exemplifies this better than the Sunflower State. Kansas, a state which has lead the backlash against the liberal establishment has been divided by issues like abortion, gay marriage, and First Amendment rights, yet blue-collar Midwesterners seem to take a similar political stance as corporate Wall Street bosses. Frank asks, “Why do so many Americans vote against their economic and social interests? Since when did lawyers, CEOs, and Wall Street insiders become the voice of common people?” Frank answers these questions and more in this sardonic portrait of United States' politics.
Share This: