In "Dying of Whiteness," Jonathan M. Metzl embarks on a profound exploration into the heart of American politics and its lethal impact on the very constituents it vows to protect. With the precision of a physician and the insight of a sociologist, Metzl unveils how the allure of right-wing policies, championed under the guise of making America great again, paradoxically endangers the lives of lower- and middle-class white Americans—those promised salvation by such governance. Through an empathetic yet critical lens, Metzl traverses the American heartland, from the pro-gun fervor in Missouri to the staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act in Tennessee, and the austerity measures slashing education and social services in Kansas. His narrative is a mosaic of personal stories and rigorous research, revealing a harrowing truth: these policies do not uplift but rather deepen the divides and escalate the risks, manifesting in higher suicide rates, educational decline, and diminishing life expectancies among white Americans. Metzl's analysis reaches beyond the immediate health ramifications to touch on the broader, more insidious effects of racial resentment that fuels the support for such detrimental policies. "Dying of Whiteness" is a clarion call to recognize and reject the racial hierarchies that, while offering the mirage of advantage, drive the nation towards a more divided and unhealthy future. By connecting the dots between policy, prejudice, and health, Metzl presents a compelling case for reevaluating the social and political landscapes that shape public health. This book is not just an examination of the present but a warning about the future, urging a collective reconsideration of the values and policies that define American society.