Flyover Country

What the "Elites" Don't Understand About America

De: Jack Wellingham

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

"Flyover Country: What the 'Elites' Don't Understand About America" by Jack Wellingham is an immersive travelogue and cultural critique that delves into the often-overlooked heartland of the United States. Drawing from his decades of global adventures—scaling Everest, trekking through Patagonia, and surviving Sahara sandstorms—seasoned explorer Wellingham turns his gaze inward for a two-year odyssey across the Midwest, South, Great Plains, and Rocky Mountains. Through vivid anecdotes, personal encounters, and insightful analysis, he dismantles stereotypes of "flyover country" as a monotonous, backward expanse, revealing instead a vibrant mosaic of resilience, innovation, and community spirit.

From the shores of the Great Lakes to the prairies of Kansas, the soulful roads of the Bible Belt to the rugged peaks of Montana, Wellingham shares stories of farmers innovating amid environmental challenges, workers revitalizing post-industrial towns, and diverse communities bridging cultural divides. He explores economic undercurrents, political populism, faith's role in daily life, and hidden gems that embody unfiltered American humanity. Challenging coastal elite perspectives, the book calls for empathy, dialogue, and unity, arguing that true national strength lies in embracing the whole country.

Updated with an epilogue reflecting ongoing changes in 2025—including economic rebounds, demographic shifts, and policy impacts—this book is a compelling invitation to rediscover America's core, fostering understanding in a polarized era. Ideal for readers interested in travel, sociology, and the American experience, it includes appendices with must-see sites, glossaries, and an annotated bibliography.