289. TRIP US: The Week Trump Won?

Homer Hickam's "Rocket Boys" is a captivating memoir recounting his childhood in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia. Inspired by the launch of Sputnik, Hickam and his friends embark on a journey to build and launch their own rockets, defying the expectations of their community. The book explores themes of ambition, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams against the backdrop of a working-class environment. It's a heartwarming and inspiring story of self-discovery and the power of determination. The memoir was adapted into the successful film "October Sky."

In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.