Fired up by the 2004 presidential election results, Starkey was provoked to look beneath the simplicity of characterizations of a nation divided into red and blue states. He offers a collection of essays by writers who consider themselves politically progressive about "the experience of being deeply committed to regions of the country where the majority of citizens don't share many of the writer's core values." With an eye toward essays that could maintain their relevancy well into the future, Starkey wanted more than just rants against the Bush administration and the war in Iraq. Contributors explore the differing values between Democrats and Republicans, the stereotypes on both sides that contribute to misconceptions, and the political cynicism that underlies motivations to continue nurturing the divide. In accordance with geography of the blue states, the book is organized by region: West, Midwest, and South. Among the contributors are novelists, poets, essayists, and literature professors, all with passion for their regions and elegance in expressing their anger, frustration, and longing to close—or least understand—the political divide. Bush, Vanessa
Review
“Among the contributors are novelists, poets, essayists, and literature professors, all with passion for their regions and elegance in expressing their anger, frustration, and longing to close—or at least understand—the political divide.”—Booklist
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Booklist 20071126)
"The red state/blue state divide, which has come to dominate poll projections, is not as well defined as election-eve pundits claim. . . . [David Starkey] shows that a sense of community often trumps politics, and the similarities between neighbors outnumber their differences."—ForeWord
(Karl Helicher
ForeWord )
“[R]eveals the sensitivity, openness, and respect which the best (blue or red) minds can offer. . . . David Romtvedt’s ‘Red Politics and Blue in Wyoming,’ Robin Hemley’s ‘Control Issues,’ Jim Peterson’s ‘The Kreskin Effect,’ and Starkey’s ‘Writing the Personal Political Essay’ are all flat-out excellent writing, regardless (but not ignorant) of politics. That’s a real accomplishment. The best of these essays—and there is a lot of great work beyond what I mention above—acknowledge the false dichotomy of red and blue, confront personal biases, and outline the disillusionment of the left at both the right and itself. Most importantly, they are vivid and eloquent.”—Andy Fogle, PopMatters
(Andy Fogle
PopMatters )
"Imbued with a spirit of gentleness and forgiveness, Living Blue in the Red States reminds us that we are in this together, left and right, trying to survive an ongoing political Katrina."—Greg Kosmicki, Great Plains Quarterly
(Greg Kosmicki
Great Plains Quarterly )
