The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America

by George Packer
The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America cover
Good Books rating 4.41
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99–£14.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 9269
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9780374534608
  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Published: 2014-03-04
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

The Unwinding offers a sweeping narrative of modern America, capturing the essence of the last three decades through the stories of ordinary and extraordinary people. It delves into the lives of a tobacco farmer's son in the rural South, a Washington insider who trades idealism for wealth, and a Silicon Valley billionaire, among others. The book provides a nuanced look at the political, economic, and social changes that have shaped the nation. Through these interconnected stories, the author paints a vivid picture of the American experience, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and transformations that have defined the country. The Unwinding is a compelling exploration of identity, culture, and the American dream, offering insights into the forces that have driven and divided the nation.

Reviews
The Irish Times · Eileen Battersby · 2013-07-06
respectful 4.75

The book is a superb piece of journalism that captures the essence of contemporary America through the stories of its characters. The narrative is both respectful and sympathetic, making it a deeply moving read.

Eileen Battersby's review in The Irish Times praises George Packer's 'The Unwinding' as a superb piece of journalism. The book is described as a respectful and sympathetic exploration of contemporary America through the stories of its characters. Battersby highlights Packer's ability to make the reader care about the fate of his subjects, creating a deeply moving narrative. The book offers a unique perspective on the state of the nation, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the current social and political landscape.

Quick quotes

    Because Packer treats his four subjects with respect and sympathy, the reader comes to care about them and their fate.

    Far more than a standard history, this book offers a deeply personal and moving account of contemporary America.

    Packer's book – so decent, meticulous, concerned – reads like both a shrine to and the embodiment of a form of civics that barely exists in America today.

The Guardian · The Guardian Staff · 2013-06-21
profound 4.50

The book is an epic and unsettling history of the last four decades in the US. It offers a profound and moving exploration of the American dream and its discontents.

The Guardian's review of 'The Unwinding' highlights its epic and unsettling nature, providing a deep dive into the last four decades of American history. The reviewer appreciates the book's profound and moving exploration of the American dream and its discontents, noting how it captures the essence of a nation in crisis. They also praise Packer's ability to weave together personal stories with broader historical narratives, making the book both intimate and sweeping in its scope.

Quick quotes

    The Unwinding is the right title for George Packer's epic, sad and unsettling history of the last four decades in the US.

    Packer's book – so decent, meticulous, concerned – reads like both a shrine to and the embodiment of a form of civics that barely exists in America today.

    This rich collage of characters and events adds up to a devastating picture of a country in crisis.

The New York Times · The New York Times Book Review · 2013-06-06
devastating 4.30

The book offers vivid snapshots of people who have experienced a loss of faith. It is a devastating picture of a country in crisis, providing a deep understanding of contemporary America.

The New York Times review of 'The Unwinding' emphasizes its vivid snapshots of individuals who have experienced a loss of faith, painting a devastating picture of a country in crisis. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to provide a deep understanding of contemporary America, highlighting the personal stories that make the broader historical narrative so compelling. They also note that Packer's respectful and sympathetic treatment of his subjects allows readers to care deeply about their fates, making the book a powerful and moving read.

Quick quotes

    The Unwinding offers vivid snapshots of people who have experienced a loss of faith. As a way of understanding contemporary America, these examples are invaluable.

    Because Packer treats his four subjects with respect and sympathy, the reader comes to care about them and their fate.

    This rich collage of characters and events adds up to a devastating picture of a country in crisis.

Goodreads · Goodreads Community · 2013-05-21
superb 4.10

The book is a superb piece of journalism, with Packer writing like a dream. It offers vivid snapshots of people who have experienced a loss of faith in contemporary America.

Goodreads reviewers consistently praise 'The Unwinding' as a superb piece of journalism, highlighting George Packer's exceptional writing style. They appreciate the vivid snapshots of individuals who have experienced a loss of faith in contemporary America, making the book a compelling read. The reviewer also notes that those familiar with Packer's work in The New Yorker will find more of the same high-quality reporting and insightful analysis here. The book is seen as a powerful exploration of the American experience, capturing the essence of a nation in flux.

Quick quotes

    A superb piece of journalism. Packer writes like a dream and those who know him from his articles in The New Yorker will find more of his signature style here.

    The Unwinding offers vivid snapshots of people who have experienced a loss of faith. As a way of understanding contemporary America, these examples are invaluable.

    This book is cathartic if you've been uneasy, concerned, or downright hysterical about the current state of our country.

Appears in Lists