Rather than providing a general book discussion, which already exists manifold (1), we aim to show why this book is a must-read for every care ethicist who wants to engage with the politics of distribution and recognition of care. The resulting book is an intriguing invitation for her readers to climb the wall as well. Her approach, as a sociologist of emotions, is to grasp how life feels at the other side of the wall. The empathy wall is described as “ an obstacle to deep understanding of another person, one that can make us feel indifferent or even hostile to those who hold different beliefs or whose childhood is rooted in different circumstances” (p. In response to the growing gap between left- and rightwing voters in the United States, Hochschild spent five years making new rightwing acquaintances and following their lives, to climb what she calls the ’empathy wall’ that stands between them and her own leftist environment. Hochschild introduces us into the lives of eight different Tea Party voters, who are living, caring and working in one of the most right-wing states in America, Louisiana. Hochschild’s journey and the empathy wall Anger and mourning on the American right is a must-read for everyone who feels estranged after the recent victories of right-wing politics.

Nominated for the American ‘National Book Award for non-fiction’ after its publication in 2016, sociologist Arlie Hochschild’s latest book Strangers in their own lands. Laurine Blonk & Ellen Grootegoed reviewed Hochschild’s book “Strangers in their own land”.

Strangers in their own land book