Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together

by Van Jones, Prentice Onayemi (Reader)

A passionate manifesto that exposes hypocrisy on both sides of the political divide and points a way out of the tribalism that is tearing America apart--by the CNN political contributor and host hailed as "a star of the 2016 campaign" (The New York Times) who coined the term "whitelash"

Van Jones burst into the American consciousness during the 2016 presidential campaign with an unscripted, truth-telling style and an already established history of bridge-building across party lines. His election night commentary became a viral sensation. A longtime progressive activist with deep roots in the conservative South, Jones has made it his mission to challenge voters and viewers to stand in one another's shoes and disagree constructively.

Now, in Beyond the Messy Truth, Jones offers a blueprint for transforming our collective anxiety into meaningful change. Tough on Donald Trump but showing respect and empathy for his supporters, Jones takes aim at the failures of both parties before and after Trump's victory. He urges both sides to abandon the politics of accusation and focus on real solutions. Calling us to a deeper patriotism, he shows us how to get down to the vital business of solving, together, some of our toughest problems.

"The entire national conversation today can be reduced to a simple statement--'I'm right, and you're wrong, '" Jones has said. But the truth is messier; both sides have flaws. Both parties have strayed from their highest principles and let down their core constituencies. Rejecting today's political tribalism, Jones issues a stirring call for a new "bipartisanship from below." Recognizing that tough challenges require the best wisdom from both liberals and conservatives, he points us toward practical answers to problems that affect us all regardless of region or ideology: rural and inner-city poverty, unemployment, addiction, unfair incarceration, and the devastating effects of the pollution-based economy on both coal country and our urban centers.

In explaining how he arrived at his views, Jones shares behind-the-scenes memories from his decades spent marching and protesting on behalf of working people, inspiring stories of ordinary citizens who became champions of their communities, and little-known examples of cooperation that have risen from the fog of partisan conflict. In his quest for positive solutions, Van Jones encourages us to set fire to our old ways of thinking about politics and come together where the pain is greatest.

The audio edition includes a PDF of resources for getting involved and making a difference.

Advance praise for Beyond the Messy Truth

"Van Jones is a light in the darkness when we need it most. Beyond the Messy Truth breaks with the tribalism of today's politics and offers us a way forward. In the tradition of the great bridge builders of our past, Van's love for this country and all its people shines through."--Cory Booker, U.S. senator, New Jersey

"In an age when hardworking families across America are feeling left behind, Van's commitment to letting other voices be heard is much needed in today's discourse."--Rick Santorum, former senator of Pennsylvania and Republican presidential candidate

"Whether you agree or disagree with him, Van Jones's voice has become an integral part of our national political debate. He is one of the most provocative and interesting political figures in the country."--Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator, Vermont

Includes an invaluable resource of contacts, books, media, and organizations for bipartisan bridge-building and problem solving.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Social Justice, African American, History, Memoir

Audio CD

First published October 10, 2017

About the author

Anthony "Van" Jones is the Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Appointed by Barack Obama in March 2009, the newly created position will find Jones working with various "agencies and departments to advance the administration's climate and energy initiatives, with a special focus on improving vulnerable communities."

Jones is an environmental advocate, civil rights activist, attorney and author. He founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in 1996, a California NGO working for alternatives to violence. During his tenure as Executive Director for the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Jones signed a petition for 911Truth.org in 2004; subsequently, he has said the petition "didn't reflect my views now or ever." In 2005, Jones co-founded Color of Change, an advocacy group for African Americans. Formerly based in Oakland, California, Jones founded Green For All in 2007, a national NGO dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty." His first book, The Green Collar Economy, was released on October 7, 2008, and reached number 12 on the New York Times bestseller list.

In 2008, Time magazine named Jones one of its "Environmental Heroes." Fast Company called him one of the "12 Most Creative Minds of 2008."

Reviews

[Esil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember seeing Van Jones commenting during the 2016 election, but there was so much noise going on that he didn't make any kind of special impression on me. Although I do remember his teary "How do I explain this to my children" speech on November 9, 2016. So I started Beyond the Messy Truth curious but without any particular expectations. But, WOW, from the get go, Jones had my attention and he kept it from beginning to end. Here are some of my disorganized thoughts about why:
-He has so much to say about what led to the 2016 election results that is insightful, and that goes well beyond rhetoric or knee jerk partisanship.
-He draws on personal experience, interviews and research, seamlessly weaving it all together.
-He is articulate and engaging, and comes across as someone I would happily spend time talking to about everything and anything.
-Two of his chapters are standouts, each one a letter to opposite sides of the political spectrum, challenging Democrats and Republicans to check some of their assumptions.
-He is a pragmatist. He has his own strongly held progressive political beliefs, but he believes even more in appealing to Democrats and Republicans to work together on issues where there is or should be common ground -- such as prison reform, the opioid crisis, and the looming employment crisis caused by technology.
-He weaves in his own moving personal story -- growing up in the Southern US, his sensible opiniated father, working for a small newspaper, going to a state university in Tennessee, going to Yale law school, working in the White House under Obama, etc...
-He personalizes a lot of what he has to say with stories of people he has met and worked with -- including perhaps surprisingly Newt Gingrich, a staunch Republican journalism professor and Prince, and also including many seemingly ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
-He speaks from the heart and with a sense of urgency.
Even as a Canadian, I found what he had to say and how he said it insightful, moving and inspiring. I hope he isn't spitting in the wind. To me, this is a must read!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I imagine that seeing the name Van Jones is either going to make people decide not to read this or jump for joy thinking it will validate liberal views. I hope both sides would rethink their positions and give this a try.

To put it all out there, I am a liberal. A liberal with a capital L and not afraid to be called a bleeding heart. However, I do try to keep up with the press and thoughts of conservatives. Nothing has ever made me understand some of the reasons people voted for Trump like this book. At some points I felt ashamed, because it was like Van Jones was speaking directly to me. I can only hope that those conservatives who read the book can find some understanding of liberals, as well.

We may not agree, but we can talk and find a way to listen to one another.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this pre-release book in a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for my unbiased review. With that in mind, please know I would have gladly paid for it, because it truly is worth it. Rarely do I read a book in two days, but I couldn’t put this down. I truly wanted answers to the questions posed by the subtitle: How did we come apart? How do we come together? This book delivers, and then some, if you are willing to listen to the answers with an open mind and an open heart.

Perhaps my favorite quote of the book is from Nelson Mandela: “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” The time has come to stop pointing fingers, laying blame, and calling names. For the good of the country, we must work in partnership. Please, do yourself a favor and read this book to learn *how* - and then encourage others to do the same. Then we can move this country forward, for everyone’s benefit.

Van Jones, in his experience with law, environment, politics, and news, presents a well thought, well presented format, with the chapters labeled as follows: America Betrayed By Both Parties; An Open Letter to Liberals; An Open Letter to Conservatives; Whitelash; Prince, Newt, And The Way Forward (portraits in strange bedfellows); The Beautiful Work (four solutions); and Reclaiming Our Founding Dream. So, he stipulates the questions, sets forth the answers, and follows with appendices and resources to get people informed and involved.

There are so many problems, but with multiple solutions. Primarily among these: consider the other side’s perspectives, how they reached them, and how working together benefits everyone.

[Book Shark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond the Messy Truth by Van Jones

“Beyond the Messy Truth” is the engaging and heartfelt manifesto of what we can do as citizens to fix America. CNN political contributor and host of coincidentally enough The Messy Truth provides readers with a provocative look at why our core democratic institutions are worth preserving and valuable insights and proposals that point the way forward. This genuine 257-page book includes the following six chapters: 1. America Betrayed—by Both Parties, 2. An Open Letter to Liberals, 3. An Open Letter to Conservatives, 4. Whitelash: Myths and Facts, 5. Prince, Newt, and the Way, and 6. The Beautiful Work: Four Solutions.

Positives:
1. Engaging, well-written book with a touch of passion. Fair and even-handed treatment.
2. An interesting topic in the capable hands of Van Jones, the messy truth of America and what we can do to fix it. “In a sane society, common pain should lead to common purpose. And common purpose should lead to common projects and solutions.”
3. I like the rhythm of this book. It flows very nicely and makes for an enjoyable read. Van Jones is also thoughtful and respectful.
4. Starts of by analyzing the backdrop of what brought us into this political mess. “If you import “Third World” (developing world) social conditions into any country, at some point you will get “Third World” politics. On the left, that means you will see the rise of anti-capitalist firebrands. On the right, you can bet on the emergence of authoritarian strongmen.”
5. Interesting facts on the 2016 elections. “Those who switched from Obama to Trump in the industrial Midwest helped cost Hillary Clinton the election. After all, a combined total of only seventy-seven thousand votes in three states—Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—threw the election to Donald Trump. That is a tiny number of the 120 million votes that were cast nationwide.” ““Data don’t vote.” That one phrase sums up the whole 2016 election. It was the entire problem with Clinton’s approach.”
6. Provides five key suggestions on what liberals need to do to fix America. “Progressives do pretty well embracing the historically marginalized but not so well embracing the “newly marginalized” or the “about-to-be” marginalized.”
7. Van Jones’ heartfelt philosophy. “The unspoken imperative should be this: I want to understand you. And I want you to understand me—whether or not we ever agree.”
8. Provides welcomed perspectives. “To win, a progressive insurgent must build relationships with leaders and organizations that actually deliver votes in black and Latino communities. It is important for future rebels to keep this in mind.”
9. The need to focus on problem solving. “Too many of us are great at opposition but awful at proposition.”
10. Interesting plea for conservatives. “There is a difference between a conservative party and an anti-liberal party.” “This has resulted in a party that is anti-liberal rather than pro-conservative.”
11. The creator of the term “whitelash” explains its myths and facts. “Whitelash: a militant backlash, powered by white working-class voters, against both the economic and cultural consequences of neoliberal economic policy.”
12. Enlightening reality checks. “Liberals must accept that every Trump voter is not a white supremacist. But conservatives should be worried that so many white supremacists are Trump voters.”
13. Not afraid to slam Trump. “Unfortunately, the President of the United States has elevated white supremacist groups via his Twitter platform and White House appointments, and he refuses to strongly condemn racist attacks.”
14. Patriotism from a different perspective. “Our nation’s founding reality was ugly and unequal—with few rights for women, nonwhites, and property-less white men. But our nation’s founding dream is beautiful, rooted in the conviction that all are created equal. Progressive patriots don’t want to restore anything; we want to progress away from the ugliness of the founding reality and toward the beauty of the founding dream.”
15. Van Jones and the interesting relationships he has established. “Prince made more anonymous donations than I know. It’s a number known only to him and God. But from talking to him over the years, I would say that 85 to 95 percent of the other people he helped had no idea he aided them. No idea.”
16. Provides four solutions moving forward. The need to fix the justice system. “The United States locks up too many people, for too long, at too high a cost, often for unjustifiable reasons and with indefensible results.”
17. Provocative statements. “We can’t be so eager to cut costs or so panicked about “job-killing regulations” that we enact child-killing deregulation.”
18. Provides an excellent list of resources from sides of the aisle. Great stuff!!

Negatives:
1. I question whether the suggestions provided will in fact solve the problem. I like his thought process but there seems to be so little in common with the existing extremists in charge.
2. Limited visual material in the context of the book.
3. Lacks depth. I would have liked to have seen more historical examples and references.

In summary, this is a very enjoyable book to read. Van Jones is genuine and respectful. He provides compelling arguments to defend his main points and provides steps in how to move forward. I in particular loved the invaluable resources provided at the end of the book where readers can further pursue their own research. A thoughtful and insightful book, I recommend it!
Further suggestions: “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander, “A Call to Action” by Jimmy Carter, “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, “State of the Union” by Nelson Lichtenstein, “A People’s History” by Howard Zinn, “What Happened” Hillary Rodham Clinton, and “Fantasyland” How America Went Haywire” by Kurt Anderson.

[Heather]

I could identify with Van Jones.  He is a liberal who grew up in a conservative area.  He can understand where people on both sides of the political divide are coming from.  He tries to offer insights to both sides in this book.

He points out that many people in this situation end up moving away from rural conservative areas which makes the isolation from people with differing viewpoints get worse and worse.  He talks about the problems of trying to go home and convert your friends and relatives to your point of view.

He also gives real life examples of how he has worked with bipartisan groups on issues like green energy and prison reform.  He specifically talks about working with Newt Gingrich.  He was a fan of how he built a huge conservative movement (but not of his politics).  He had read all of his books when he found himself working with him on CNN.  They have some interesting joint projects. 

I thought that the chapter on Prince was amazing.  Prince attempted to donate to one of his projects anonymously.  He refused the money because he didn't take donations that he couldn't trace.  Eventually Prince introduced himself and they started working together.  He uses examples from Prince's philanthropy to show how people can be creative and make a difference in the world.  As he says, Prince's thinking wasn't "red or blue.  He was Purple." 

It is rare to have a book that discusses all these serious issues be ultimately hopeful but this one manages. This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story

[Barbara (The Bibliophage) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Van Jones has been working hard at making the world a better place for a long time, with particular focus on underserved communities of color. He's also a lawyer and CNN contributor. In this book, he takes both perspectives and uses them to analyze and synthesize the messy state of US politics. He's got four key steps to get us out. I'm watching to see what elected office he runs for in 2020.

Earnest, but sometimes preachy. It's a 3 1/2 star read for me.

Full review at TheBibliophage.com.

[Elizabeth Theiss Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a liberal who has lived and worked in a red state for nearly twenty years, I found this book fascinating. Jones dissects and critiques the rhetoric of the right and the left, and identifies policy areas where both sides might work together productively.

[Mal Warwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than half the American people complain about Donald Trump. But few are doing something about it. Van Jones is one of the exceptions.

Van does not mince words. "There is evidence that Trump is crazy," he noted in a Nov. 5 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review, "but he has also driven us crazy." Van's new book advises us how to treat that craziness.

In Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together, his third book, Van writes at the outset that "the same political dynasties that screamed the most against Trump's ascendance . . . created the mess that opened the door for him in the first place." And he makes clear that those "dynasties" are the Clintons and the Bushes. To remedy the mess that resulted from the neoliberal views that have dominated their years in government—and remained largely unchallenged under Barack Obama—Van advocates bridging the gap between conservatives and liberals by finding common ground on issues where our values overlap. He takes both political parties to task for blocking the way for activists on both Left and Right to meet on that common ground. And both liberals and conservatives come in for harsh criticism for our failure to grasp how we might come together on some critical issues despite the dramatic contrast in our values.

Beyond the Messy Truth consists of seven short chapters. The first addresses the dilemma we Americans now find ourselves in. Each of the two following chapters is devoted to an "open letter" to one of the two major political parties. A fourth chapter explains what Van calls the "whitelash" that elected Donald Trump. It's followed by two other chapters that detail Van's own work on both sides of the aisle to address some of the most urgent issues of our time. Here, he lays out an agenda for action on these issues: reforming the criminal justice system, ending the addiction epidemic, and creating jobs for the millions of people who are either already shut out of employment opportunities or will become unemployed as automation continues to take its toll. The concluding chapter expresses Van's optimism that the agenda he lays out is not just necessary but also possible.

Here, for example, is Van in his letter to liberals: "It is one thing to say, 'I disagree with you because we have different values and priorities.' It's quite another to say, 'I disagree with you because you are an uneducated idiot—a pawn—and a dupe.' The prevalence of the latter set of arguments is why the Democratic Party stinks of elitism."

In each of the two cases, Van enjoins us to "honor our traditions," uphold religious liberty, respect all Americans, "fix the party," and "solve real problems." Liberals, he notes, tend to be disrespectful to both churchgoers and white working-class voters—and we're "addicted to the bickering and infighting." ("We cannot win against the worst of the right if all of our best weapons are pointed at one another.")

Conservatives fail by disparaging Muslims, who might otherwise be their allies, since they tend to be both religiously observant and conservative. And today's Republicans seem to have forgotten their core commitment to limited executive power, small government, and freedom of speech and religious practice. ("Would [our founders] approve of a U.S. president attacking the credibility of independent judges merely on the basis of their heritage . . .? Would they stand by idly as the executive branch tramples on the rights of the press?")

Van Jones is best known as a commentator and reporter on CNN. But his work as a leading activist is far more consequential. In fewer than fifty years, he has founded or co-founded numerous social enterprises, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, Rebuild the Dream, the Dream Corps, and Magic Labs Media. He has also collaborated with other public figures including Newt Gingrich,  Prince, and Patrick Kennedy in launching nationwide initiatives on such topics as criminal justice reform, the opioid epidemic and heroin addiction in our inner cities, and training "100,000 young women and men from underrepresented backgrounds find success in the tech sector" (#yeswecode). In other words, Van walks the talk. Many of the views he expresses in Beyond the Messy Truth reflect his own years of work on these issues.

For further reading, search online for "How Steve Bannon sold the alt-right to Donald Trump and made history," "5 books that explore our broken criminal justice system," "Donald Trump: populism, or fascism?," and "Van Jones: Making sense of the Tea Party, the Occupy Movement, and Barack Obama's shift from candidate to President." You might also be interested in my post, "35 excellent nonfiction books about politics."

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me some Van Jones. I always feel smarter after I hear him speak. I don't have cable, so I haven't seen his show(s) on CNN, but in the clips and interviews I've seen, I am always impressed by how knowledgeable and well-spoken he is when it comes to American politics. During the last election, I watched a few of his short interviews that he put on Facebook, and found them to be enlightening. He seems to me to be a person of good will, intelligence, and compassion...all of which makes him as rare as a hen's tooth in this day and age.

Jones writes about the current political climate in America, and does a good job trying to explain how someone like the current President could be elected despite...let's say some warning signs that he is not quite the right fit for POTUS. Pat Buchanan and Ralph Nader in 2000, the rise of the Tea Party in 2010, Occupy Wallstreet in 2011 (I would add Sarah Palin in 2008, too)...these were all warning signs that something was amiss in the American electorate, but the powers and parties that be didn't pay attention.

The liberal case against Donald Trump is easy, and well documented on virtually every major media website in this country. What I found extraordinarily interesting--and quite frankly, surprising--was Jones's criticism of the left, and his analysis of what part Progressives played in seeding the field for a Trumpian harvest. Cultural elitism, social isolation, the dismissal of the white working class, snark, hubris, and other things seldom spoken of in Democratic circles all played a roll in paving the road for Donald Trump's victory. Jones believes, and I concur, that unless the Democratic Party begins paying attention to all voters--even those who may hold beliefs that are contrary to liberal doctrine--they are going to continue to lose, and not just the White House. Since President Obama was elected in 2008, the Democratic Party has been effectively removed from power at every level of government. They now hold less electoral real estate than at any other time since the 1920s. In eight years, they lost a combined total of 1,000+ seats in local, state, and federal government.

While Jones is not unique in this observation, I think he's spot on with regard to the role of consultants and too heavy a focus on data in the Clinton campaign. As one of the people he interviews quips, "Data don't vote." The Democrats need to put down their smart phones and expend some shoe leather. The Republicans certainly do.

Final thought: Mr. Jones uses a metaphor that I really liked: the ladder of opportunity. In America, to be successful, you have to climb a ladder. Education is one rung. Sobriety is another rung. Work is a rung. Personal responsibility is a rung, etc. Some people are born with access to some great ladders, with lots of people demonstrating how to climb them, and offering support and encouragement as you go up. Other people...the only ladder available to them is the one that we, as a society, provide. So yes, you have to climb up to be successful, but it's our duty, as a country, to provide some god damn ladders.

Our Republican friends are about to try and pass a massive tax cut that will largely benefit those who already have a lot of ladders. The cost of this tax cut will be removing many, many ladders for those who would otherwise have no access. It is insane, it it irresponsible, and it is just stupid.

Good book. Smart guy. Got me thinking. Well done.

[Drew Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with how good this book was. This book made the central focus people instead of who was currently winning: Republicans or Democrats. In this time, I think it’s important for politicians to remember that they are there to serve people and not promote their own agenda. It’s time for Republicans and Democrats find common ground and work together, and Van Jones so beautifully illustrated that in this book.

I don’t usually read books about politics, but if I had to recommend one, this would be it.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Van Jones until I stumbled on this book (a Goodreads recommendation for me, I believe) but I will be checking out his TV news commentary in the future. His book is an exhortation to his liberal/progressive followers to listen to our conservative neighbors and friends, and to find common ground from which we can solve real problems, rather than continuing to ramp up the blame game, finger pointing, and outright nastiness that characterizes so much of what passes for "conversation" between the two sides.

Referring to problems including addiction, poverty, and a broken criminal justice system, Jones writes, "In a sane society, common pain should lead to common purpose. And common purpose should lead to common projects and solutions. This book is written in hopes that Americans of all stripes will agree that our core democratic institutions are worth preserving, and that a few life or death issues are worth fixing together, even as we continue to fight about everything else." He makes the point repeatedly that liberals and conservatives both need the other side to maintain a balanced approach to solving our nation's problems. Only by working together will we remain true to our core values and move our country forward.

[Nicole DiStasio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll say this: Van Jones seems like a genuinely nice guy. He’s the kind of guy I’d love to invite over for a dinner party (if I was the kind of person that had dinner parties!) because I bet he’d bring the best dish AND help you clean up after. It’s clear he is upset by the outcome of the election, and that he is working hard to mend bridges. He’s positive, forward-thinking, and dedicated to solutioning. But… I, sadly, think he’s pushing a rock up a hill. I am honestly not sure how to bridge the divide between the parties, but I don’t think that treating them as “equally” wrong is the answer either. There’s this idea that they’ve been “conned” or that you can enlighten them with facts by engaging them in conversation — well guess what -- they think the same about you! And you’ve got as much of a chance to flip them as they have to flip you. Which is none. While I admire (the heart!) of people that try and engage the hardcore Trump base (i.e. ANY person that has not already jumped ship on him), I think it’s a futile endeavor. Personally, I am going to save my energy to work on tasks I think can be accomplished.

[Unwisely · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a gift from my mother, which is why I finished it. (It was a struggle.)

I spent most of the time while reading trying to figure out who the heck he thought he was writing for. People who are super passionate about politics, but haven't thought about it for more than 20 seconds? I guess college students? Except it's a book, I thought The Kidz didn't read any more?

He spent a lot of time doing the "both sides are equally bad!!" thing, which I don't buy into. (Everything isn't equal. Flaws are real and should be addressed, but there is a spectrum and we shouldn't pretend not living up to what you wanted equals lying and saying that those are equivalent isn't helpful.) His "liberals are bad too!" arguments were either: things I've never said (and don't know anyone who thinks), or when he actually was countering something I'm skeptical about, was not addressing any of my concerns.

I didn't think he particularly addressed how to fix anything (unless you think "listen to people" is a groundbreaking strategy (or that it will actually work)).

[Anita Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read. If I wrote a review of all of the good points in this book, it would be longer than the book. However, I would like to let the author know that I appreciate his insight into the wisdom of his relationship with the Prince. In Politics we have Red States and Blue States, but the state of mind of the Purple One, Prince was absolutely enlightening.(red and blue colors together make purple). Thank you Mr. Jones...

[Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this era of increasingly putrid political division, there are lots of books out there attempting to diagnose America’s problems and suggest workable solutions. And although I’m not convinced that Van Jones’s Beyond the Messy Truth is necessarily the best of them, if I had the ability to force all Americans to read this book, I would probably do it (very un-American, I know). Beyond the Messy Truth is an intelligent, stirring, and no-nonsense exploration of, in Jones’s words, “How We Came Apart, How We Come Together.”

Despite his liberal partisanship (which he admits openly), I think Van Jones qualifies under my definition of a national hero: someone who works tirelessly in a challenging environment for the betterment of life for all Americans. That last part is crucial; despite disagreeing with conservatives on most issues, Jones exhibits not only an understanding of and respect for them, but also a genuine affection that bespeaks true patriotism––the kind that values our common humanity and heritage as Americans over and above all else. Jones groks the power and indispensability of political coalitions, and knows that strong coalitions can never be built or sustained by people who agree with each other about everything. This short book’s every intimation is shot through with an urgent message, which I think is best captured in these two passages:

"Of this I am sure: we need the best ideas from all sides to get to the best solution. Our constitution is a product of passionate disagreement among strong advocates for different positions and constituencies. Innovation does not come from insular agreement but from individuals with different ideas coming together to solve problems using all the tools and ideas at their disposal. As we tackle our country’s most pressing problems, we need intelligent, dedicated people on both sides." (63)

"Working together in this way is not easy, but it is what our country desperately needs. In the end, the promise of America is liberty and justice for all. My fellow liberals are so focused on justice we too easily forget about liberty. Conservatives can be so committed to liberty that you become blind to cases where injustice curtails freedom. We need each other. We cannot improve this country alone. If we focus only on winning elections, we end up demonizing the other side. If we focus on solving problems, we’re forced to build bridges. To build bridges, we must listen to each other. When we listen to each other, both sides change and grow. We find ways to disagree without disrespecting each other. As we better articulate our visions and solutions, we find points of tension––but also points of cohesion. We are forced to defend our beliefs to people who disagree with us, which makes them stronger and reveals the cracks. This is what America needs, and it will take contributions from all of us to get to a better place." (89)

This American truth seems almost trite when stated so plainly, and yet we are living through a moment when many partisans on both sides of the political spectrum are likely to scoff at Jones’s suggestion that liberals and conservatives need each other. That reality makes this book a lot more important and interesting than it would be in “normal” political times.

In service of this unifying message, Jones sets out first to highlight the many ways in which Americans from different backgrounds and political tribes are letting each other down, and have been for a long time now. Jones directly addresses liberals and conservatives with two open letters designed to persuade each side that, despite possessing legitimate core values, both camps are complicit in creating and exacerbating political dysfunction. He rightly criticizes liberals for being too thin-skinned when dealing with opposing perspectives:

"We need to develop the emotional strength and resilience to reengage intelligently and constructively with the half of America that sees things very differently than we do. It takes a lot of inner work, community support, and maybe a few Jedi mind tricks to deliberately and skillfully place ourselves in conversation with people whose ideas, assumptions, and attitudes often wound us. But our present strategy of retreating further and further into self-affirming liberal echo chambers has backfired in a big way…We have to be wary of losing that natural, openhearted quality, of abandoning our traditional commitment to doing right by all. Otherwise, even when Trump is stumbling politically, he is still winning––spiritually." (27)

As a person who has grown increasingly uncomfortable labeling himself a “liberal” over the last couple years precisely because of this problem, it is a welcome relief to see an avowed liberal direct this kind of compassionate criticism toward his own side.

Another key critique Jones levels at contemporary liberals is the glaring contrast between their obsession with internecine sociocultural deconstruction and their often-ineffectual efforts to construct lasting political change:

"We must have a ceasefire in the 'who’s the wokest of them all' war. We cannot win against the worst of the right if all of our best weapons are pointed at one another. Right now, too many of us seem to approach liberal causes and conversations mainly by looking for ways to show other progressives what they are doing wrong. Too many of us can deconstruct everything but can’t reconstruct anything and make it work. Too many of us know how to run a protest against the adults on our campuses but don’t know how to run a program for children in our neighborhoods. Too many of us are great at opposition but awful at proposition. Too many of us know just enough critical theory to critique everything but don’t have the practical skills to make anything function at the level of our high standards. Too many of us know how to march against an elected official but not how to elect one. Too many of us know how to call people out but don’t know how to lift people up. And this reality creates internal dangers as real as anything we face externally." (54)

If left unabated, these “internal dangers” will take modern liberalism down the same road that was painfully traversed by maintstream conservatives and the Tea Party during the Obama era. This process appears already well under way, so responsible liberals like Jones ought to be doing whatever possible to slam the breaks and reverse out of the swamp of their own self-righteousness before it swallows them. Beyond the Messy Truth represents an excellent step in the right direction.

Jones has plenty of tough love for conservatives to complement the chiding of his fellow liberals. One of his main points is that conservatives have forgotten and even denied the important counterbalance that liberalism plays and has always played in American life:

"Conservatives want policies that that bolster economic liberty and free-market enterprise, but America cannot be great if we do only things on which corporations can make a nice profit. You need liberals to point out key differences between private goods and the public good––and to raise questions about whether private companies are always in the best position to meet the needs of all citizens, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, who cannot pay. Conservatives want to limit the size of government, but you need liberals to remind you that clean air, clean water, safe products, inspected food, nonlethal workplaces, and smog-free cities are all products of government protection––which your constituents like quite a bit…I will keep working to beat you on Election Day. But I don’t want you to stop being conservative. I’m not trying to convince you to come around to 'my side' of things. What America needs in the age of Trump is not fewer of you but instead more and better conservatives with the conviction to stay true to your core values." (65)

Importantly, Jones’s approach undermines a scary idea that has become something like gospel in some liberal circles: All we need to do is get rid of or permanently marginalize these conservative idiots, and all our problems will be solved! Jones sees the toxicity inherent in this attitude, and instead seeks to persuade conservatives to double down on the better angels of their nature rather than trying to bully them into becoming different people.

The central goal for conservatives, Jones argues, ought to be turning the Republican party away from its wealthy overlords and back toward the interests of regular Americans:

"You have poor people in your party in red states and red counties. But you haven’t done much for them. You accuse the Democrats of letting down our poor urban voters. But the modern conservative movement is structured to ignore its poor rural and suburban base in the same way. Sooner or later, your constituents will realize that you are not building anything, that you are not promoting their interests. In the short term, potshots at liberals and refusals to work on bipartisan legislation can curry favor with Republican activists and their media boosters. But at the end of the day, ordinary conservatives––maybe people like you––are being left behind." (88)

Although Jones’s analyses of American liberalism and conservatism are neither exhaustive nor flawless, I think he does a terrific job of giving both sides a well-deserved scolding while simultaneously offering a warm handshake of encouragement and the promise of spirited collaboration.

Beyond the Messy Truth isn’t all theory. Jones effectively utilizes his past experiences to demonstrate how the power of personal connection will always trump political partisanship in the right circumstances. He describes two unlikely relationships with conservatives––Professor E. Jerald Ogg, Jr. and Newt Gingrich––that taught him about the character of conservative intelligence and the importance of finding common ground across party lines. Jones also recounts his heartwarming friendship with Prince, his musical hero, who bolstered him through difficult times and inspires him even in the wake of a tragic death:

"I’ve witnessed humanity united, even momentarily, by one man striking a single note on a guitar. I believe that everybody has a note inside that they can strike, which can resonate beyond their own skin color or political ideology. They may do it through community service. They may do it through their profession. They may do it through parenting. But everyone has that something, that spark, and we have a responsibility to offer it to the world." (137)

Live music has played a critical role in the development of my personal relationships as well as my ethical outlook, so this passage “struck a chord” with me. The project of bringing Americans back together, which Jones calls “The Beautiful Work,” can be summed up as the means by which we can help our fellow Americans––regardless of race, class, gender, etc.––learn how and when to strike their unique notes in the most rewarding and meaningful ways.

Jones gives four prescriptions for enacting The Beautiful Work, all of which are relatively uncontroversial from a sociocultural perspective but politically intractable due to the sclerotic nature of our national government. Jones says that liberals and conservatives should come together to (1) fix the justice system, (2) end the addiction crisis, (3) create more hi-tech jobs, and (4) create more clean energy jobs. These sections are less inspiring than other parts of the book, but they offer pragmatic, bridge-building solutions to serious problems. I see these recommendations not as a comprehensive plan for fixing America, but rather as fruitful starting points for forming the coalitions necessary for such a plan to be conceived and executed.

Jones’s parting sentiment is yet another insight that we should all take to heart:

"From the very beginning of this country, America has been two things, not one. We have our founding reality and our founding dream. And the two are not the same. Our founding reality was ugly and unequal. Nobody can deny that…But that’s not all America was, even at the start. And that’s not all we are now…We are that rainbow-hued people, unique on this earth, who contain in our multitudes every color, every faith, every gender expression and sexuality––every kind of human ever born. And we are living together, in one house, under one law…At our best, our mission is simple. For more than two centuries, we have been working to close the gap between the ugliness of our founding reality and the beauty of our founding dream…That’s who we are. That’s what we do. What’s what makes us Americans." (185-7)

If every American made a sincere effort to heed these sentiments and bear them out with compassionate action, there is no doubt in my mind that this country would immediately begin to transform itself into a place far more representative of our founding dream. I’m grateful to Van Jones for his many years of passionate activism, and for sharing his experiences and ideas in this book. I am proud to be one of his fellow citizens.

This review was originally published on my blog, words&dirt.

[Carol Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Van Jones is fair-minded and intelligent, and I'm impressed by the way he talks about finding mentors from different backgrounds when he was in college. I went to good old Ivy-League Columbia in the mid-Eighties, and I don't remember any faculty members even mentioning the word "mentor." Hard to believe there's so much rage on campus today. Then again, maybe not!

In his open letter to progressives, Van Jones says right out that snobbery, elitism, and class prejudice are paralyzing the progressive movement. He calls out just as much hypocrisy and cynicism on the left as he does on the right. That really impressed me! And in the biographical chapters, he's honest about how lucky he was to benefit from affirmative action. Unlike any other liberal I've ever encountered, black or white, he actually tries to understand the resentment of the working class guys he left behind when he got the big scholarship to the big college.

The one thing Van Jones doesn't do is to ask the tough questions about college education itself. He talks about getting all kinds of great mentoring and counseling from this one super-conservative white professor who was a close friend of George W. Bush. He doesn't explain exactly what he had to do to get that extra level of counseling and concern. I have to think there were a dozen other undergraduates who would have liked to have this fellow for a mentor, but it didn't happen for them. Why? What was Van Jones willing to do that the other guys couldn't? Did he smile more? What?

When I was an undergraduate at Columbia, I kept my mouth shut and I did exactly what I was told. I worked hard and raised my hand often in class. And you know what happened? Nothing! Nobody ever noticed me, my hard work, or my good grades. I was just one more face in the crowd. Van Jones writes about college just like any other liberal. It's the Great Good Place. Get there and you've made it. Work hard and you will be rewarded. Well, not always. A lot of students don't get noticed, no matter how hard they work. And a lot of professors don't go the extra mile, even for kids who deserve it.

Do you really think those angry kids at Columbia are all worked up about little babies in Gaza? I don't. I think they've finally found a way to express their hatred of Columbia and their professors openly. And yes, I know some faculty are supporting them. That's their way of sticking it to management. Columbia has always been an angry place. The atmosphere on campus has always been one of depersonalized, ruthless, dog-eat-dog competition. Every man for himself. Devil take the hindmost. Prejudice and suspicion will always thrive in that kind of atmosphere.

None of that is Van Jones' fault. But he writes about college as if it's a given that if you work hard and you get to the right place, good things will always happen to good people. Not always!

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters 1-5 are all perfect, explaining that both sides do good things, and problematic things, and that we are all Americans before we are Democrats or Republicans. A bird with only one wing can't fly.

[Sahitya · Rating 4 out of 5]

“America is a good idea brought to life and made real. We exist as an ongoing act of collective will, rooted in the conviction that shared beliefs matter more than shared bloodlines.”

Most of us who actively follow politics and related news everyday are guilty of surrounding ourselves in an echo chamber that strengthens our own existing views. Neither do we tolerate opposing views, nor do we even want to listen to them. What we don’t realize is that this is exactly what has led to the current political scenario – partisan bickering, no concrete solutions for the issues ravaging the people on both sides of the aisle, growing disrespect and contempt for anyone with a different POV.

“Each blames the other side for every problem and rarely looks within to find their own opportunities for growth.”

That is why I think this book is important. It’s not a one-stop guide to solve all problems that exist, but it is a good beginning. Van Jones gives us a glance into his childhood and upbringing as a young black kid in the South. He delves into his own personal experiences to help us understand that for identifying problems and solutions, it is not only necessary but better for people of all ideological spectrums, races and classes to find common ground. In his open letters to both liberals and conservatives, he points out the flaws in each of the party’s approaches to furthering their goals and ideologies at the expense of common people. At the end, he discusses in detail issues like criminal justice reform, opioid addiction crisis and job creation which have supporters across both left and right, it’s just that we need to be prepared to engage with everyone to work on solving the crises.

“Innovation does not come from insular agreement but from individuals with different ideas coming together to solve problems using all the tools and ideas at their disposal.”

I believe that everyone invested in the betterment of the country, especially youngsters should read this book, if not completely, at least look at the appendices which give information about lots of resources to get to know both sides of every story. We should play our part to ensure that our common goal is achieved – Liberty and Justice for All.

“If we seriously want to solve any of the mounting problems we face – or even just be better partisans – we need some spaces where we listen to one another and show up humble enough to accept the fact that we might have something to learn. We need to continually remind ourselves that honest, intelligent people can disagree with us for reasons that are honorable.”

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Van Jones is such an inspiration, I feel this book (along with Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy) should be required reading for every American. The over-riding message in Beyond the Messy Truth is that "mutual respect, even in passionate disagreement, must be the goal" and he likens the plight of America to a baby that's fallen down a well while extended family (our political parties) points fingers and lays blame, rather than effectively taking action. Jones tells the reader that we must play the part of the parents, and jump in and do whatever it takes to save our baby. In addition to storytelling, Jones's gifts include the ability to find common ground between the most disparate parties, to disarm them by reflecting to them their very best selves, and to employ his vast and unflagging reserves of empathy and energy to bridge gaps.

I am so glad my sister loaned me this book right now, before having received my copy of The Fire and The Fury. I feel better equipped to read that now, with an awareness of my own prejudice, status, and social class so that I can better reign in any non-productive judgmentalism that might keep me from hearing valid points made by the other side.

Just today I read an article in the International New York Times defining "othering" as when a culture is polarized by the perception that WE are good and virtuous and THEY are inhuman and evil (coining of said phrase attributed to law professor John A Powell), and the uplifting theme of this article was about how it is possible to empathize with ones political foes, that there is a basis for hope. If there was ever a time we needed a supply of hope, it is now. Hooray Van Jones! I'm forwarding my copy to friends to read, with the request that they do the same. The more Americans who read this the better!

[Steve Garriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know it, but I needed this book. Many of us have been rocked and rolled since the election, reacting to every action from an administration we believe is flying in the face of everything we believe in. But Jones sums up the reality of Conservative vs. Liberal... In the end, while we each have our own perspective--liberty and justice--we must learn to come together, because we need each other. Each side brings its own set of skills that, when focused on solving vital tasks, can bring about amazing results. We are a nation with a founding reality in all its ugliness and a founding dream with all its beauty. We move toward a "more perfect union." But the American experiment must go on, despite the forces that wish to tear it apart. There is hope. The power of bipartisan agreement is attainable. But it will take work. Jones provides some concrete directions in understanding the perspective of both sides of the aisle, as well as providing motivations behind those beliefs. He also points out the short-comings, which need to be addressed by both parties. Read this one. It's quick and it will give you hope. Thomas Jefferson knew the failures of the new republic he helped build; he also knew there was future that would succeed in addressing and healing the results of those failures. As Dan Rather said in signing off from his newscast in September 1986: "Courage."

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I needed this is putting it all too simply. After our last election in 2016, I found myself needing clarity, understanding, and a reason to move forward. Thankfully, I tapped into Van Jones's newest book, which walks us through the election and after effects. His ability to tap into the good on all sides, while clarifying ways we have been manipulated by negative and even fallacious--harmful--messages pushed on the American people helped me to better understand how we got to this place. I appreciated Van's ability to cut the noise, to highlight what happened, how it happened, and what we can do to build a more positive world for all mankind.

Yes. I needed this book. I still get a deep sense of how much work we need to do and just how I might play a role, but that is what I needed--a purpose and a vision. This book has some slower moments, but does feature a good thesis about hope and moving forward. We all need this.

[Chelsea SWATCHSEA · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

When Beyond the Messy Truth was released back in October, I immediately knew I wanted to read it. I’ve seen Van Jones on CNN many times and while I don’t always agree with him, I admire his work.

I listened to the audiobook which sadly isn’t narrated by the author himself. It’s still good though, but that would’ve been even better.

Like I said, I often disagree with Van Jones and that’s the reason why I didn’t enjoy this book more than I did. I completely understand where’s he’s coming from, but I dislike the idea that marginalised people should be compassionate towards their oppressors. Allocishet white abled men should not be treated as marginalised individuals, Van! Just because the United States has become more diverse, doesn’t mean we should care more about them than the people whose rights have been denied by those very individuals….

trigger and content warnings for cissexist language, “native born Americans” =/= Native Americans

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 rounding to 4

Jones’ smooth verbal eloquence is doesn’t particularly translate into his writing. The book would have benefited from an editor’s guiding hand to sound more erudite and less middle-school caliber. But there’s no mistaking his passion in making the case that the conservatives and progressives actually have values and agenda in common if only they could move beyond rhetoric and make an honest effort to listen. He provides several examples of collaboration to illustrate the potential for moving beyond bipartisan deadlock. The two appendices provide lists of interesting books to peruse and organizations to join if the reader wants to be proactive instead of succumbing to despair over our current state of affairs.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo. I would love for every rational, patriotic American to read this book with an open mind and let it sink in. Although Jones certainly leans left, he presents a fair-minded, rational approach on both sides. And I agree that the top-down approach repeatedly has let us down, and it’s up to us to stir a grassroots movement to move both sides toward each other. I intended to quote some passages of his conclusion, but would have had to quote the entire chapter. So instead, I implore y’all to read it, and contemplate it for yourself. The founding principles of our country deserve to be revisited. I love my country, and desperately wish for its healing, and liberty, justice for ALL.

[Michele Dubois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding common ground between the two political parties seemed to be Van Jones' central theme in this book. I respect his optimistic approach to bipartisanship, but at times felt he was too "rose colored glasses," given the last 2 years of GOP tactics to stall or block even the basic tenets of our democracy, like filling a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court by a sitting President.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It made for healthy discussion and debate with my book club. I especially liked the stories he shared about his relationships with Newt Gingrich and Prince.

[Paul Eaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

In general the book has a good message. I appreciate the attempt to bridge the divides in our politics. There are many good resources. I think our politics are a long way from what this book calls for, however. I really think we need to move beyond the simple two-party system, and this is where the book falls short in developing a new dream for The United States. Still worth the read.

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book that evaluates the political divide in America and what people from both parties can do....as well as what citizens can do. Enlightening and powerful! Looking forward to hearing Van Jones speak in April in Arizona.

[Daniel Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Van Jones speaks to my soul. Using green jobs to employ and empower Americans, teaching coding to help individuals upload apps and their creativity instead of just downloading others' opinions, and finding common ground between fighting political parties. All things that I can get behind.

[Letitia | Bookshelfbyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I brought this book in 2017 when it was first released. I am glad that I have finally prioritized reading it now. The timing for guidance could not be more paramount. Every aspect of America seems to be in turmoil. Van is someone who I have followed and been a fan of for years. I genuinely admire his ability to empathize and continually seek to help create an America that is truly a nation that offers liberty and justice for all.

If you have found yourself either discouraged, lost, confused, overwhelmed, frustrated in the current discourse, and disconnect in America, I truly cannot recommend this book enough.

The initial framework of the book details how Hillary Clinton lost in 2016 to Donald Trump. He wrote this book 6 months into Trump's presidency and his concerns and outlook 3 years later, have all come true. He provides honest and valid critics of both liberals and conservatives. Even though, I am a liberal I genuinely believe that he was not biased to the Democratic Party. The critics he made for the liberal party has completely changed my perspective on how Hillary lost. I never truly succumb to the pity party of Hillary's lost but any frustration in how we as a nation (with failures from Republicans and Democrats) got to its 2016 and now 2020 state is NO accident.

I truly have highlighted practically every other page so it is virtually impossible for me to choose quotes that stand out to me the most. If you are like me and are wondering how on earth can America move forward, Van outlines direct and concrete actions we can take as individuals and for both parties. He also provides resources for movies, books, podcasts, and people to follow and listen to, to continue your learning and understanding.

I will add this quote which summarizes how we need Democrats to be better Democrats and Republicans to be better Republicans in order to achieve a more perfect union.

"For more than two centuries, we have been working to close the gap between the ugliness of our founding reality and the beauty of our founding dream. Each generation tries to narrow that gap a little bit more than the last one did. No, we will never have a perfect union. But we can always have a more perfect union, decade after decade, generation after generation, century after century" (187).

As Van stated in the conclusion, we need to acknowledge that we are asking a lot out of our neighbors and ourselves. We need to acknowledge that we are trying to do something hard here in America. But "no bird can fly with only a left-wing. No bird can fly with only a right-wing. Both sides still need each other".

He provides the messy truth on how we came apart but more importantly, how we can come together.

I am ready to get to work.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of political book I enjoy reading. Van Jones clearly has his partisan views about how things should be done, but he shares his perspective in a way that is fair to both parties with lots of common ground to meet on. Because this was written in 2017, he talks about how to come together after the Trump victory, but there are still many important and relevant issues in there. He talks about the importance of learning from and understanding the other side, recognizing that both sides have biases and blindspots, and also acknowledging the good each bring to the table. I loved his list of common ground projects where both parties have come together (or should come together) to create much needed change (like prison reform and the opioid epidemic). I appreciated the stories about working with Newt Gingrich, Prince, his conservative professor, and his dad...how much he appreciated and respected their views, even when they differed from his own. This is my kind of politics...hopeful, building bridges, respecting differences, and working together on common moral ground.

-"Disagreement is a good thing. Only in a dictatorship does everyone have to agree. In a democracy nobody has to agree. That's called freedom. It's the whole point of America."
-"We had different politics of the head but the same politics of the heart." -His conservative professor/mentor (They cared about the same things, just had different philosophies on how to act on those concerns)
-"It is at the margins of society that one discovers the moral center and that is where we must begin to rebuild a politics of possibility."
-"At their best, both the liberal and conservative traditions in our country are honorable, vital, and necessary."
-“When they go low, we go high” Michelle Obama