Bellwether Blues

A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul

Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
208 Pages
Reviewed on 02/01/2021
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Bellwether Blues: A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul by Jonathan R Jakubowski is a spellbinding book that combines political and social commentary with personal stories to demonstrate how millennial voters, who have been out of reach to conservatives, are shifting their choices from the left to the right. The book presents seven stories of millennials — Tiffany Crain, Jenna Cline, Jose Mendez, Arron Lawrence, Douglas Simpson, Alfonso Mack, and Jeremy Harpel — and illustrates how they broke away from the cycle of hopelessness, skepticism, and despair when considering the state of American political affairs. While these characters are from different backgrounds and each is imbued with unique challenges, their stories are revealing of the questions that inhabit the minds of millennials.

Readers will not only understand why these seven millennials in Swing County America swung from Obama to Trump but will also decipher the salient values of faith, family, and freedom in the electoral context. Tiffany has experienced the pain of not seeing her unborn children, Arron is a replica of the hidden dreams and aspirations of young ones in black communities, and Jeremy has concerns and worries about attacks on individual freedom. Each of these characters has a stirring in the heart, a yearning that a democratic culture — even if it is more open to innovation than the conservative — has not successfully addressed. Each of the characters that readers encounter in this book is well-written and in sharing these stories, the author makes a challenge to conservatives, proposing a new strategy to winning over millennials. Bellwether Blues: A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul is written in gorgeous prose, the voice is compelling and observant, and the entire work is filled with social and political commentaries that are both spot-on and mind-boggling. This author just succeeded to have me rethink what I thought I knew about American politics.

Vincent Dublado

A hopeful look at America’s future, Bellwether Blues: A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul by Jonathan R. Jakubowski shows how Generation Y (Millennials) is no different when it comes to facing political tensions. This book explains why the Millennial Generation gets a case of the Bellwether Blues as brought about by political disillusionment. It is an overlooked malady that sweeps them into losing faith in the system. Thankfully, this book offers hope and assures that all is not yet lost. Faith still makes a difference and is still very relevant in a culture rife with fake news and half-truths. Jakubowski presents seven case studies of millennials in bellwether-country America who manage to free themselves from the cycle of skepticism and despair in an ideology that they felt has forsaken them.

Bellwether Blues makes a solid argument by focusing on people who go out of their way to tell their stories in the open. In doing so, Jakubowski shows the important and unique characteristics of the Millennial Generation that significantly affect their political attitudes and social engagement, and it shows conservatives how they can reach out to them. Millennials are said to define their time as a generation that is very open to racial and ethnic diversity as well as openness to social justice policies. Their attitudes have a meaningful impact on the current and future political landscape of the country, and therefore, it is important for leaders in position to pay attention to them. This book is a good place to start.

Lesley Jones

When Donald Trump won the 2016 election, it sparked political division not seen since the Civil War. Democrats and Republicans began to question the other side's motives and refused to listen to any opposing viewpoint which caused rifts between friends and families. But for one demographic, the millennials - the conservatives have repeatedly failed to attract their vote. The assumption has always been that the millennials share the same values in regards to world events, housing, and education as the left, but is this really the case? The Democrats' principles have shifted drastically from liberalism towards leftism since the 1980s and with it their views on free speech, national sovereignty, and free enterprise. This has caused many classic liberals to reject this radical transformation and, with it, give hope to the conservatives. This book will highlight why millennials vote in regards to their principles, not a political party. Discover what caused a transformation of political opinion for seven millennials from Wood County, Ohio who switched from being a liberal to a conservative voter. Bellwether Blues by Jonathan R Jakubowski will also highlight how we can unify not divide the country and bring about a country in which we can listen to and debate political differences.

Bellwether Blues by Jonathan R Jakubowski is an incredibly well-researched and detailed analogy of the current state of politics in the United States. The author has not combined all millennials together as a whole. The author has highlighted the diverse range of reasons for changing political viewpoints extremely successfully. The background stories of the seven people who contributed to this book were very interesting. I particularly found Jose Mendez's story revealing as he shared his observations from an immigrant's viewpoint. I also found Tiffany's story compelling, especially her breaking point to change her political standpoint. This quote from her, 'It is one thing to dream a vision, however, and another thing to execute a vision' was wonderful. I found the research by The Center for Generational Kinetics founder Jason Dorsey around the values and views of millennials fascinating. The section Free Enterprise Is to Compassion as Socialism Is to Oppression and the entitlement mentality of some was brilliant. I also thought the section on emotional intelligence was insightful. The differences between liberalism and leftism were explained really well. This is optimistic book that gives hope to the unity of the United States.

Tammy Ruggles

Bellwether Blues: A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul by Jonathan R Jakubowski is a thought-provoking look at how conservatives can win liberals over, and it isn't by condemning them; it's by being kind. This book and message are sorely needed, and it could easily have been about liberals winning conservatives over to their way of thinking. The point is, it doesn't matter which side you're on; both sides could use a little more compassion. In this divisive world today, we could all use a little more patience and understanding. So many people have become disenchanted with politics, society, and one another, but the author has millennials in mind; at least the cynical ones. This can't-we-all-just-get-along approach is profound in its simplicity, and actually makes a lot of sense. Replacing hate with love--making friends--is the answer, but how many will do it? The author lays out the accounts of seven millennials in Ohio that converted from liberalism to conservatism.

Most books on politics are one-sided, and though this one is about conservatives wooing over liberals, Jakubowski explains that the intent is much more personal and philosophical than that. It's about individuals who are frustrated with what they're supposed to stand for and vote for, who find that being open to hearing the other side out is more productive, and plants seeds that can make lasting changes and solid ideals. This guide is interesting, regardless of how you vote. It rises above the fray and helps readers to think about issues in a new way. The author does an excellent job explaining his points, even if readers may not agree with them. He explains that some Democrats are leaving the left in favor of more balanced or conservative values. He takes you back through past elections and presidencies to illustrate points and show how the state of affairs has changed over time. Bellwether Blues: A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul by Jonathan R Jakubowski is definitely the book to read if you're tired of politics as usual.

Rabia Tanveer

Bellwether Blues: A Conservative Awakening of the Millennial Soul by Jonathan R Jakubowski is a commentary on the current political situation in the USA and why society is swept up in it. While the boomers are increasingly becoming erratic with their political views, the millennials are left to play catch up. The constant upheaval of the political system has left millennials furious and exasperated. While the option of a debate may seem to be off-the-table for some millennials, the author urges readers to start a dialogue and try to understand the political standpoints of other people before making harsh judgments. The author believes that if we understand our core values, choosing a political stand will become more peaceful. Instead of running away from the sometimes-exhausting political debate, the author asks readers to choose a direction that is based on the correct information and not just on what readers believe in.

Bellwether Blues is very much needed in the current situation that the citizens of the USA are going through. This book does not put the conservatives against liberals and vice versa. It urges the young and millennial voters to open their minds as well as their hearts before they take a stance. Considering the current condition of political and societal unrest, such calming and educational narratives are needed to inform people that there is always the choice of debating and understanding other’s views. The fact that this book is very easy to read is a major plus for me. Not every reader is going to be well-versed in political jargon and Jonathan R Jakubowski does a great job of reaching the emotions of readers and making them understand why it is vital for us to open our minds as well as our hearts. This insightful, educational, and calming book should be shared with everyone.