George Packer's The Unwinding is widely praised for its compelling narrative and insightful exploration of America's socio-economic unraveling. Critics commend its effective storytelling and vivid character studies. However, some note its episodic structure can feel disjointed. Overall, it's considered a poignant, thought-provoking examination of contemporary American life.

Readers who enjoy The Unwinding by George Packer are typically interested in American socio-economic issues and political history. They may also appreciate works like Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance or Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol, as these books provide a similar critique of societal changes and their impacts.

The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America by George Packer examines the decline of American institutions and social cohesion from 1978 to 2012 through the lives of three main subjects: Dean Price, Jeff Connaughton, and Tammy Thomas, as well as notable figures like Newt Gingrich, Oprah Winfrey, and Jay-Z. The narrative explores the socioeconomic changes and struggles faced by Americans in Silicon Valley, Tampa, and Wall Street. Considerations of job loss, economic instability, and systemic inequities are vividly portrayed.

Informative / Contemplative / Melancholic / Gritty / Challenging

- The Unwinding won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2013, highlighting its significant impact and recognition within the literary community.
- The book's narrative style has been compared to that of John Dos Passos' U.S.A. trilogy, known for its mix of personal stories and historical analysis.
- In addition to his work as an author, George Packer has contributed extensively to The New Yorker, bringing his keen insights on American culture and politics to a broad audience.

**George Packer**  
An American journalist and novelist recognized for his work on American foreign policy, known for his National Book Award-winning nonfiction "The Unwinding," inspired by Dos Passos' U.S.A. trilogy.

**Dean Price**  
A North Carolina native from a family of tobacco farmers who pursued green energy innovation by founding a biodiesel truck stop, Red Birch Energy, after witnessing industry decline.

**Jeff Connaughton**  
A longtime political operative who worked with Joe Biden, experienced the financial sector, and became a lobbyist, providing insider knowledge of Washington's power structures.

**Tammy Thomas**  
A community organizer from Youngstown, Ohio, who overcame personal hardships and industrial decline, actively working to revitalize her community.

**Peter Thiel**  
A tech investor and one of the original founders of PayPal known for his libertarian views and investments aimed at technological advancements with a focus on his survivalist tendencies.

**Glenn Beck**  
A prominent radio and TV host associated with the Tea Party movement, influential in the narrative surrounding American partisan politics.

**Joe Biden**  
The U.S. Vice President in 2008 and an influential political figure throughout the book, whom Jeff Connaughton worked with closely.

**William Jennings Bryan**  
A historic populist politician brought up in the narrative as a symbol of populist movements fighting against corporate interests.

**Rocky Carter**  
A construction business owner and mentor to Dean Price who invested in Red Birch Energy but eventually withdrew support.

**Chris Dodd**  
A Democratic senator whose political actions represented the influence of Wall Street on Washington, complicating reform efforts.

**Jack Hamersma**  
A victim of the foreclosure crisis whose struggle serves as an example of individual hardships during the economic downturn.

**The Hartzells**  
A family representing the lower-income Americans significantly impacted by the economic and housing crises.

**Miss Hattie**  
A former union leader turned community activist in Youngstown, inspired by Tammy Thomas to take leadership roles in local revitalization efforts.

**Napoleon Hill**  
An author whose success philosophies significantly influenced Dean Price's outlook and approach to business and personal aspiration.

**Reid Hoffman**  
An associate of Peter Thiel and an important figure in the tech world, known for his early involvement with PayPal and subsequent success with LinkedIn.

**Jane Jacobs**  
A historian known for her ideas on ideal urban planning, influencing views on city development, particularly criticized within Tampa's context.

**Karen Jaroch**  
A Tea Party activist from Tampa who played a significant role in local political movements and campaigns against public transit initiatives.

**Ray Kachel**  
A tech worker who joined Occupy Wall Street, illustrating the on-the-ground experiences and struggles of the movement.

**Ted Kaufman**  
Joe Biden's former chief of staff and interim senator who worked with Jeff Connaughton to attempt financial reform during the late-2000s economic crisis.

**Sonny Kim**  
A central figure in fraudulent real estate dealings in Tampa, uncovered by journalist Mike Van Sickler.

**The Koch Brothers**  
Wealthy industrialists known for their heavy investment in conservative political causes and influence in shaping political narratives.

**Sylvia Landis**  
An individual who fought against bank foreclosure and advocated for connecting legal assistance to those affected.

**Max Levchin**  
Instrumental in the founding and innovation behind PayPal, contributing to the early success of Peter Thiel's ventures.

**Abner Mikva**  
A respected judge and Clinton White House Counsel who became a mentor to Jeff Connaughton during his time in Washington.

**Kevin Moore**  
An anonymous Wall Street insider who provides perspective on the finance industry and the cultural shifts contributing to the mortgage crisis.

**Kirk Noden**  
Founder of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative, responsible for hiring Tammy Thomas and promoting local activism.

**James O’Keefe**  
An activist known for his controversial undercover videos that targeted and discredited organizations like ACORN.

**Sean Parker**  
Entrepreneur known for his role in founding Napster and investing in Facebook, emblematic of tech culture's new elite.

**Usha Patel**  
An immigrant who successfully contested a fraudulent foreclosure, maintaining faith in the American Dream despite obstacles.

**Tom Perriello**  
A Democratic congressman from Virginia's Fifth District who collaborated with Dean Price on green energy initiatives.

**Pete Price**  
Dean Price’s father, whose troubled life had a lasting impact on Dean's personal and professional ambitions.

**Jack Quinn**  
Cofounder of a bipartisan lobbying firm, showcasing the entrenchment of lobbying in political processes.

**David Sacks**  
Collaborator with Peter Thiel on conservative projects during their time at Stanford, later achieving success as a tech entrepreneur.

**Mark Sharpe**  
A Republican county commissioner from Tampa who was challenged by his party for supporting public transit initiatives.

**Gary Sink**  
A business partner of Dean Price in Red Birch Energy who became a political and personal rival over time.

**Nelini Stamp**  
An activist who bridged grassroots labor and the Occupy Wall Street movement, embodying the potential and challenges of activism.

**Reid Teague**  
A former business partner of Dean Price who turned against him, representing challenges Dean faced within his community.

**Granny Thomas**  
Tammy Thomas's great-grandmother, whose values and legacy significantly shaped Tammy's life and worldview.

**Vickie Thomas**  
Tammy Thomas's mother, whose struggles with heroin addiction embodied the broader issues facing Youngstown.

**Glenn W. Turner**  
The operator of a cosmetics pyramid scheme, whose actions affected Dean Price's family and represented the vulnerabilities of Americans facing economic uncertainty.

**Mike Van Sickler**  
A journalist who exposed local real estate fraud and depicted the broader impacts of the mortgage crisis in the media.

**Paul Volcker**  
A former Federal Reserve chairman whose criticisms of Wall Street and Washington's financial practices played a part in reform discussions.

**Matt Weidner**  
An attorney specializing in foreclosure defense, providing legal resistance against the injustices of the mortgage industry.

George Packer

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Unwinding reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Unwinding | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Unwinding and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Unwinding?

Reading Age

Book Details