Pity the Billionaire - by Thomas Frank (Paperback)

About the Book

From the bestselling author of "What's the Matter with Kansas?" comes a wonderfully insightful and sardonic look at why the worst economy since the 1930s has brought about the revival of conservatism. Economic catastrophe usually brings social protest and demands for change--or at least it's supposed to. In "Pity the Billionaire," Frank, the great chronicler of American paradox, examines the peculiar mechanism by which dire economic circumstances have delivered wildly unexpected political results.

Book Synopsis

A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice

From the bestselling author of What's the Matter with Kansas?, this witty and highly provocative book asks a simple question: How is it possible that the disastrous collapse of the free market economy in 2008 could have heralded a popular revival--of the right?

In Pity the Billionaire, a brilliant, funny, and disturbing tour de force, Thomas Frank analyzes the sleight of hand involved in the right's resurgence--all the upside-down grievances that have transformed economic suffering into valentines for the rich and powerful. This great chronicler of American paradox dissects the contradictions at the heart of the country's politics, and in this "dazzling" book once again shows himself as "one of the best left-wing writers America has produced" (The Guardian).

Review Quotes

"Thomas Frank is the thinking person's Michael Moore. If Moore, the left-wing filmmaker, had Frank's Ph.D. (in history from the University of Chicago), he might produce books like this one." --Michael Kinsley, The New York Times Book Review

"A spirited, acerbic, stylish exploration of the Republican resurrection." --Boston Globe

"A feisty and galvanizing book... This is the kind of analysis - historically astute, irreverent and droll - that makes Frank such an invaluable voice....Pity the Billionaire is further evidence that he's as good at this as any writer working today." --San Francisco Chronicle

"Frank's wit is as sharp as ever, and his eye for detail and his ability to capture a scene reminded me of reading zoologist Dian Fossey on a group of strange political primates." --The Washington Post

About the Author

Thomas Frank is the author of Pity the Billionaire, The Wrecking Crew, What's the Matter with Kansas?, and One Market Under God. A former opinion columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Frank is the founding editor of The Baffler and a monthly columnist for Harper's. He lives outside Washington, D.C.