Amanda Penn, Author at Shortform Books

4 Appalachian Stereotypes: Are Hillbillies Lazy and Violent?

What are the most common Appalachian stereotypes? Are they accurate? Hillbilly Elegy sets out to explore the struggles of the rural white working class in 21st-century America through the personal story of its author, JD Vance. Part autobiography, part sociological text, and part political manifesto, the book tells a story of dysfunctional families; substance abuse; the material, spiritual, and moral decline of Appalachia; and the struggles to achieve true economic and social mobility in the United States. Ultimately, JD overcomes the odds and achieves a life of success and respectability outside of the hillbilly culture from which he came—but at

JD Vance’s Mamaw Saved Him From Becoming a “Loser” Hillbilly

What is JD Vance’s “Mamaw” like in Hillbilly Elegy? What impact does Mamaw have on JD Vance’s life? In Hillbilly Elegy, JD Vance shares the story of his struggles growing up within this culture as a means of articulating a broader social and cultural critique of the Appalachian white working class. Through it all, however, Vance is undeniably proud of where he comes from and clearly loves his family very dearly. JD Vance’s Mamaw plays an especially important role in young JD’s life.

Good Is the Enemy of Great: Jim Collins on Business Success

In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins argues that good is the enemy of great. Why? And must we all strive for greatness? What separates the good companies from the truly great ones? We’ll cover why good is the enemy of great and Jim Collins’s strategies for turning a good company into a great one.

How to Avoid Mistakes: The #1 Strategy (And It’s Simple)

We all make mistakes, but sometimes we look back and see that we could have easily prevented some of our errors. Do you ever wonder how to avoid mistakes that seem obvious in hindsight? To avoid mistakes at work and during your everyday tasks, use a checklist. We’ll cover how checklists prevent failure, how to create effective checklists, and why they’re necessary in today’s complex world.

The Two Mindsets: Fixed and Growth Mindsets (Carol Dweck)

What are the two mindsets from Carol Dweck’s popular book Mindset? Is one of the two mindsets better? Which mindset do you have? The two mindsets of Carol Dweck are the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. You learn one of two mindsets from your parents, teachers, and coaches — that personal qualities such as intelligence and ability are innate and unchangeable (a “fixed” mindset) or that you and others can change and grow (a “growth” mindset). Regardless of which view dominates your thinking, it shapes your personality and helps or hinders you from reaching your potential. We’ll cover the

Flywheel and Doom Loop: Why Businesses Take Off or Fail

What are the flywheel and doom loop from Jim Collins’s book Good to Great? Why do you want to emulate the flywheel, and how do you avoid the doom loop? The flywheel and doom loop are concepts from Jim Collins’s book Good to Great. Collins likens the process of going from good to great to the turning of a heavy flywheel. To get the flywheel moving takes continuous effort and dedication, but once it’s spinning, its momentum keeps it going. The opposite of the flywheel is the doom loop, a painful cycle of decline. We’ll cover the flywheel and doom

Hillbilly Highway: Hillbillies Come to Town, Alarming Locals

What was the “Hillbilly Highway”? How did this phenomenon start, and where? The “Hillbilly Highway” is a name for stretches of U.S. Route 23 and Interstate 75. It earned its moniker from the mass migration of “hillbilly” families from Kentucky to the midwest in search of jobs. We’ll cover how the “Hillbilly Highway” came to be and how JD Vance’s family arrives in Ohio in Hillbilly Elegy.

Education in Appalachia: How a Culture Is Failing Its Kids

How is the system of education in Appalachia? How is education in Appalachia portrayed in JD Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy? In Vance’s book on life in Appalachian Ohio, education in Appalachia is in a sad state. Learn how he views the education system in his home community and why he thinks that the culture puts such little emphasis on education.

JD Vance’s Sister: Lindsay’s Shocking Appalachian Childhood

What is JD Vance’s sister Lindsay Vance like in Hillbilly Elegy? How do she and Vance cope with an abusive mother and a town that prizes violence and devalues education? Hillbilly Elegy sets out to explore the struggles of the rural white working class in 21st-century America through the personal story of its author, JD Vance. Learn how JD Vance and his sister Lindsay Vance overcome the odds and achieve lives of success and respectability outside of the hillbilly culture from which they came—but at a heavy personal cost, and with many struggles along the way.

Culture of Discipline: Good to Great Businesses + Examples

What is a culture of discipline? Why do the most successful companies have one? How do you foster a culture of discipline in your own workplace? A culture of discipline is a workplace culture in which everyone gauges his or her actions according to the company’s common goal. The concept is detailed in Jim Collins’s book Good to Great, in which he argues that truly great companies have a culture of discipline. We’ll cover Jim Collins’s culture of discipline, why it leads to success, and how to develop one.