The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America

Packer highlights the lives of ten famous Americans to help explain the unwinding. Why do you think he chose these subjects? Who else would you include if you were writing the book, and why?

The title of the book and its thesis describe an uncoiling of the threads that kept Americans united. Is it possible to put those threads back together again, to “re-wind” the nation? Use evidence from the book to support your answer.

Dean Price worries about walking the “thin line between an entrepreneur and a con man” (244). Does he walk the right side of the line?

Throughout the book, Packer changes his narrative voice to suit his subjects. What are some examples of the differences in writing style he employs, and what are the effects of changing voices and style?

Does the book end with optimism or pessimism? Does knowledge of what has happened in the world since 2013 change how you perceive the ending?

Packer seems to have set out to capture the viewpoint of every type of American he could think of. Are there any voices he misses? What are they, and what might they say about the topics addressed in the book?

Which entity had the greatest impact on the winding: Wall Street, Washington, the media, or Americans themselves? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Do you agree with Packer’s thesis? Have you noticed changes like he describes in your own community? What are those changes, and what brought them about?