Book · 2020
The Upswing
How We Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again
Why people recommend it
The Upswing by Robert D. Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett is a comprehensive social science analysis that charts the historical trajectory of American society from an era of intense individualism to broad civic community, and then back to hyper-individualism. James Telerico appeared on The Ezra Klein Show on January 13, 2026, to discuss the intersections of faith, politics, and Christian nationalism. During the conversation, Telerico highlighted Putnam and Romney Garrett's book as an essential political read. By bringing up the text, he underscored the structural shifts in American civic health and community engagement over the past century. The recommendation aligned with the broader thematic exploration of how societal fragmentation occurs and what historical patterns reveal about the decline and potential recovery of social capital in modern democratic life.
Who recommended it
- James Telerico Recommended
James Telerico — 1 mention
“the political book and it's the upswing by Robert Putnham and his co-author I think her name is Shaylen uh Romney Garrett”