Wildland: The Making of America's Fury

Wildland examines the transformation of American society from September 11, 2001 to January 6, 2021. Through deep reporting in three locations - Greenwich, Connecticut; Chicago, Illinois; and Clarksburg, West Virginia - Osnos traces the forces that reshaped the nation's social, economic and political landscape during this period. The narrative follows individuals whose lives intersect with major changes in finance, media, politics and culture. Osnos draws on his experience as both a foreign correspondent and hometown observer, having lived in each of the three communities at different points in his life. The book combines on-the-ground reporting with analysis of broader national trends in inequality, political polarization, and social trust. Through extensive interviews and research, it documents how changes in institutions and communities contributed to growing divisions in American life. Wildland presents a portrait of a nation grappling with fundamental questions about democracy, truth, and the bonds between citizens. The work suggests that understanding recent upheavals requires examining not just national events but also the local transformations that reshaped American communities over decades.

Readers found the book offers insights into America's social and political divide through three communities: Greenwich CT, Chicago IL, and Clarksburg WV. Many appreciated Osnos's personal connections to these places and his detailed reporting over decades. Positive reviews highlighted: - Clear connections between local changes and national trends - Strong character portraits and storytelling - Balance between statistics and human stories Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Trump voters/supporters - Some sections drag with excessive detail - Conclusions feel incomplete or obvious Ratings: Goodreads: 4.19/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (580+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "His reporting from West Virginia particularly resonated as someone from a similar community" - Goodreads reviewer "Well-researched but sometimes gets lost in minutiae" - Amazon reviewer "The Greenwich chapters felt more compelling than others" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌟 Evan Osnos left the U.S. in 2005 to report from China, and upon returning in 2013, he found his home country transformed by deepening political and social divides. 🌟 The book follows three American communities that shaped Osnos's life: Greenwich, CT; Clarksburg, WV; and Chicago, IL, examining how each changed dramatically over two decades. 🌟 The author spent six years researching and writing Wildland, conducting hundreds of interviews and reviewing thousands of documents to trace America's path from 9/11 to January 6, 2021. 🌟 Osnos won the National Book Award for Age of Ambition (2014), his previous book about China, before turning his investigative lens back toward American society. 🌟 The book's title "Wildland" refers to both the combustible state of American society and the forestry term for areas prone to devastating fires, drawing a parallel between ecological and social vulnerability.