Book · 2007 · Political Science
What's the Matter with Kansas?
How Conservatives Won the Heart of America
Why people recommend it
What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank is a political analysis examining the shift of working-class voters toward the Republican Party and the cultural grievances driving conservative populism. Emily Jashinsky recommended the book on Breaking Points in February 2025, describing it as a vital diagnostic tool for understanding political realignment and how the modern political playbook developed, while encouraging listeners to read it. Jeremy Carl mentioned the work on Interesting Times in March 2026, noting that his own upcoming book's working title served as a deliberate allusion to Thomas Frank's famous title. Jimmy Dore also discussed the book on The Joe Rogan Experience in February 2018, highlighting Frank's critique of conservatives alongside his later writings targeting political establishments. Throughout these discussions, commentators referenced the book to analyze modern American political divides, voter psychology, and the complex dynamics underpinning conservative movements and working-class political behavior over the past several decades.
Who recommended it
- Jeremy Carl Discussed
- Emily Jashinsky Recommended
- Jimmy Dore Discussed
Jeremy Carl — 1 mention
“I mean, again, the book I’m working on right now has got the working title, what’s the matter with Minnesota. And I chose that a year ago. By the way, listeners, just like you will recognize that as an allusion to Thomas Frank’s book. What’s the matter with Kansas.”
Emily Jashinsky — 1 mention
“do we have Thomas Frank's book here I think we used to I mean what's the matter with Kansas I I I understand how left to see it it's also a diagnosis for literally how the Playbook of all of this has happened I encourage people to go out and read it”
Jimmy Dore — 1 mention
“He wrote that book called what's the matter with Kansas which is examine what's wrong with conservatives and then he wrote a book called listen liberal which came out I think two years ago”