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From the Hood to the Holler: A Story of Separate Worlds, Shared Dreams, and the Fight for America's Future
Kentucky State Representative Charles Booker tells the improbable story of his journey from one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country to a political career forging new alliances among forgotten communities across the New South and beyond.
Charles Booker grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Kentucky, living in the largely segregated West End of Louisville. Faith and love were everything in his family, but material comforts were scarce. The electricity was sometimes shut off. His mother often went hungry so her son could eat. Even after he graduated from law school, Booker rationed the insulin he took for diabetes. Determined to build a world in which poverty and racism would not plague future generations, he charted his own course into Kentucky politics, a world dominated by the myth of an urban-rural divide, and controlled by the formidable Republican establishment.
In this stirring account, Booker unfolds his journey from the heart of Louisville to the deepest reaches of Kentucky's rural landscapes, reflecting the journey America itself must make on the way to a progressive future. Robbed of multiple family members by gun violence, Booker found the roots of a system built to fail him and his neighbors in everything from the hypocrisy of elected officials to the structural racism embedded in the state's budget.
Yet it wasn't until his unlikely appointment to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources that he understood the transformative power of the issues that bound his family with those in rural Appalachia. In coal country, he met citizens who, like those in the West End, suffered from extreme isolation, for whom fresh food and economic stability were scarce, who lacked the resources to overcome their cynicism about change. Through his work as the youngest Black state legislator in Kentucky, Booker built an unprecedented alliance between the hood and the holler. This coalition was the basis for a thrilling grassroots Senate campaign that nearly stunned the nation, putting Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul on notice that the days of business as usual were over.
From the Hood to the Holler is both a moving coming-of-age story and an urgent political intervention--a much-needed blueprint for how equity and racial justice might transcend partisan divisions in Kentucky, throughout the South, and across America.
Charles Booker grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Kentucky, living in the largely segregated West End of Louisville. Faith and love were everything in his family, but material comforts were scarce. The electricity was sometimes shut off. His mother often went hungry so her son could eat. Even after he graduated from law school, Booker rationed the insulin he took for diabetes. Determined to build a world in which poverty and racism would not plague future generations, he charted his own course into Kentucky politics, a world dominated by the myth of an urban-rural divide, and controlled by the formidable Republican establishment.
In this stirring account, Booker unfolds his journey from the heart of Louisville to the deepest reaches of Kentucky's rural landscapes, reflecting the journey America itself must make on the way to a progressive future. Robbed of multiple family members by gun violence, Booker found the roots of a system built to fail him and his neighbors in everything from the hypocrisy of elected officials to the structural racism embedded in the state's budget.
Yet it wasn't until his unlikely appointment to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources that he understood the transformative power of the issues that bound his family with those in rural Appalachia. In coal country, he met citizens who, like those in the West End, suffered from extreme isolation, for whom fresh food and economic stability were scarce, who lacked the resources to overcome their cynicism about change. Through his work as the youngest Black state legislator in Kentucky, Booker built an unprecedented alliance between the hood and the holler. This coalition was the basis for a thrilling grassroots Senate campaign that nearly stunned the nation, putting Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul on notice that the days of business as usual were over.
From the Hood to the Holler is both a moving coming-of-age story and an urgent political intervention--a much-needed blueprint for how equity and racial justice might transcend partisan divisions in Kentucky, throughout the South, and across America.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published April 26, 2022
30 people are currently reading
3034 people want to read
About the author
Charles Booker
9 books25 followersCharles Booker represented the 43rd District in the Kentucky House of Representatives. A graduate of the University of Louisville and its Brandeis School of Law, Booker is a Bingham fellow and a Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Team fellow. He is the founder of the advocacy group Hood to the Holler, which continues the work of his campaign, building bridges between previously siloed communities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 26, 2022
A life-long Kentuckian, Charles Booker deftly connects his personal story to issues facing communities across the state with compassion and honesty in his compelling memoir. From The Hood To The Holler will leave you feeling seen and hopeful about what is possible for the future of politics.
May 18, 2022
Yesterday I was happy to vote for Charles Booker in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Yeah he won! His memoir tells us who he is and what he believes. Now I am even more committed to helping him be my Senator.
February 12, 2022
I was surprised to see that there were no reviews for this book. The author tells of his growing up on the West End of Louisville and suffering poverty, racism and a big medical challenge, Type I, Diabetes.
When I read memoirs, I compare them to my own life. I grew up in Indianapolis in an immigrant neighborhhood back in the 1950's but what I read from his book rang true, I temember bringing home friends to my mother at night for supper because there was nothing to eat at home and having a teacher ask for clothes because one of our schoolmate's burnt down and all they had was the clothes on his back.
In poor neighborhoods, the only way to survive is for people to pool their resources. Just like in Charles Booker's hood, people were not lazy but did not have the education or the opportunities. A lot of people that I know have never had the experience of "stretching" a meal or having neighbors pitch in.
The problem of poverty is universal and Charles Booker was very fortunate to have a mother and a grandmother to help him through the journey of life. Family and neighborhood can and do provide support when there is a close network. Charles Booker's family were chutch people, pastors, evangelists, and church janitors. Mine on my mother's side were teachers mostly so I feel some connection there.
He experienced busing like Kamala Harris did when she was growing. Again, I feel a connection, getting up very early in the morning. We lived on the perimeter of a better school district after we moved from the city to the suburbs. I did not have the experience of being one of the very blacks in a school and being required to wear uniforms but I have the experience of being the only white in summer school with everyone else black except for the teacher. That was an indelible experience! And I had the experience of taking two buses to get to school and two more to get home, if you are like me, you are worn out when you get home. Forget about extracurricular activities, how are you going to get a ride home.
Unlike the author, I never had to contend with not being safe where I lived, I grew in a time with little crime or drugs and Charles lets you know what that was like. People need to know what it is like never being same near your home or even in your home.
Then, Charles went through having symptoms without knowing what was causing them. He has Type I and the insulin is expensive and paying for it remains a serious problem. He will tell you what it is like having to decide between paying for insulin or food for your family.
I have Type II diabetes and recognize that diabetes is a progressive disease and that I may have to rely on insulin in the future. There is a strong need for education on diabetes and for insulin to affordable to every one who needs it.
You will read in this book about the educational journey that the author took, one thing drove his education, that was to help the people back home. Besides the education and the governormental position that eventually will allow you to write the laws that will help your people, you need perserverance and that is a required quality if you are to succeed. I believe that Charles Booker has and I hope that he will be succeessful in his future political runs because he wants to help the people.
When I read memoirs, I compare them to my own life. I grew up in Indianapolis in an immigrant neighborhhood back in the 1950's but what I read from his book rang true, I temember bringing home friends to my mother at night for supper because there was nothing to eat at home and having a teacher ask for clothes because one of our schoolmate's burnt down and all they had was the clothes on his back.
In poor neighborhoods, the only way to survive is for people to pool their resources. Just like in Charles Booker's hood, people were not lazy but did not have the education or the opportunities. A lot of people that I know have never had the experience of "stretching" a meal or having neighbors pitch in.
The problem of poverty is universal and Charles Booker was very fortunate to have a mother and a grandmother to help him through the journey of life. Family and neighborhood can and do provide support when there is a close network. Charles Booker's family were chutch people, pastors, evangelists, and church janitors. Mine on my mother's side were teachers mostly so I feel some connection there.
He experienced busing like Kamala Harris did when she was growing. Again, I feel a connection, getting up very early in the morning. We lived on the perimeter of a better school district after we moved from the city to the suburbs. I did not have the experience of being one of the very blacks in a school and being required to wear uniforms but I have the experience of being the only white in summer school with everyone else black except for the teacher. That was an indelible experience! And I had the experience of taking two buses to get to school and two more to get home, if you are like me, you are worn out when you get home. Forget about extracurricular activities, how are you going to get a ride home.
Unlike the author, I never had to contend with not being safe where I lived, I grew in a time with little crime or drugs and Charles lets you know what that was like. People need to know what it is like never being same near your home or even in your home.
Then, Charles went through having symptoms without knowing what was causing them. He has Type I and the insulin is expensive and paying for it remains a serious problem. He will tell you what it is like having to decide between paying for insulin or food for your family.
I have Type II diabetes and recognize that diabetes is a progressive disease and that I may have to rely on insulin in the future. There is a strong need for education on diabetes and for insulin to affordable to every one who needs it.
You will read in this book about the educational journey that the author took, one thing drove his education, that was to help the people back home. Besides the education and the governormental position that eventually will allow you to write the laws that will help your people, you need perserverance and that is a required quality if you are to succeed. I believe that Charles Booker has and I hope that he will be succeessful in his future political runs because he wants to help the people.
December 8, 2023
Every Kentuckian should read this book. The love that Charles Booker has for the people of Kentucky is palpable through his story.
May 1, 2022
I don’t often write book reviews, but have to comment here. Politics has been sickening to me in recent years. Reading this book gave me a bit of hope. Booker connects his people with mine (Eastern Kentucky) with grace and love. I’ll remember when it is time to vote.
June 16, 2022
I've met Charles Booker. Everything about him is genuine. Progress isn't intellectual to him. He's a real person who came from poverty and understands what it's like to go without food, income, healthcare. He's right. Working class communities from Louisville to Appalachia, the hood to the holler aren't divided by race. They're united by the shared experience of oppression. Change won't come until we all work together to make a multi-racial democracy. He definitely has my vote against Rand Paul. If you're in Kentucky I hope he has yours too.
August 28, 2022
I wanted to read this book to learn more about Charles Booker after becoming interested in his campaign last year. I wasn’t sure what to expect, fearing at worst the book might be dry because you never know with autobiographies. However, I’m happy to say his story is a very interesting one and I enjoyed the book immensely. I live in northern Kentucky and would see Mr. Booker on television during the protesting of 2020 in Louisville. He stood out to me because he could be mid interview and if someone from the community wanted to speak to him, he would simply stop the interview and talk to them. I watched him take the time to speak to people that politicians typically would ignore and he would do so over whatever publicity a news story might have garnered him. It felt genuine and his book gave me the same feeling. An excellent read and looking forward to what he does in the future.
Read
April 28, 2022read this for work! Will not be rating. Pacing felt a bit off, but as far as political memoirs go, enjoyable.
October 10, 2022
I think this is a tragic story of how out of state money wielded by both party establishments serves to polarize our legislatures, homogenizes the candidate pool, and prevents truly dedicated and imaginative contenders from rising to the top. I hope that Mr. Booker keeps at it while not being subsumed by the process, we need this man just as he is.
October 15, 2023
I’ve been a fan of Booker since I marched on the state capitol back in 2018(?) for teacher’s pensions. He approached me and told me he supported our cause. At a time when our governor was dragging us through the mud, that meant a lot.
I was proud to vote Booker for U.S. Senate in 2022, and hope I’ll get the opportunity to check his name off at some point in the future.
I was proud to vote Booker for U.S. Senate in 2022, and hope I’ll get the opportunity to check his name off at some point in the future.
March 13, 2022
This book was unbelievably good, it was eye opening, well written and impossible to put down. There were so many things that I didn't know or didn't understand before reading this book that I'm forever grateful I know now. This book makes me want to move to Kentucky just to vote for him!
May 29, 2022
Biographies are not typically my jam. However, From the Hood to the Holler, the autobiographical story of Charles Booker’s life-to-date, held my interest throughout. I thought I knew quite a bit about Charles’s background and career, but I learned so much more. His faith, drive, and tenacity are admirable and inspirational. I was particularly impressed by his ability to connect with people across cultural and political divides and form unlikely collaborations. But what keeps coming back to me is his deep faith in and dedication to God and his love and commitment to his family. I have the utmost respect for this young man.
June 28, 2022
I abhor organized religion for its hypocrisy, especially extremist evangelical Christians who want to force their way of life on the rest of us. But Charles Booker is a ray of hope whose steadfast faith has led him on a mission to serve his community - his whole state, really - proving there are still some good apples in the bunch. It will be a real shame if Kentuckians don't elect him/voter oppression sees to it that they don't. If our country had more standup, inspirational politicians like him, we might be not be on the precipice of fascism and utter ruination.
January 9, 2023
This memoir by Louisville activist & former state representative Charles Booker & another one I listened to in the last month, Hill Women by Cassie Chambers, may seem as divergent as the hundreds of miles that separate their locations geographically. But as Booker traveled around Kentucky in his campaigns for several offices, the latest an unsuccessful bid for Rand Paul's Senate seat, he began to realize that the problems faced by the far eastern rural Appalachian part of Kentucky had much in common with his home neighborhood, the West End of Louisville. He saw that the stereotypes that damaged opportunity in the coalfields of eastern KY led to cycles & spirals of poverty just as the stereotypes of Black neighborhoods in Louisville's West End did. The poverty of both areas contributed to poor schools, poor health, little opportunity, drug addiction, & violence. This realization led to a campaign slogan & the name of this book--From the Hood to the Holler. Much more unites Kentuckians of diverse backgrounds than divides us. These perceived divisions keep powerful politicians in office continuing to exploit resources & labor & diverting funding away from education, healthcare, addiction treatment, & solutions to gun violence.
January 9, 2023
Interested in learning more about this democratic candidate from Louisville who seems so unlike the modern politician. He seems to care and want to help his fellow citizens of the commonwealth. He explained how he’s grown as a person, how his experiences have enabled him to understand the plight of eastern Kentucky as well as all of the citizens of our state who are struggling; his message is heartfelt. He explained situations that I wish people outside our state would read to better understand how things happen in politics in Kentucky. He is insightful and thankfully optimistic about our future.
Popsugar category: A book I meant to read in 2022.
Recommend reading this!
Popsugar category: A book I meant to read in 2022.
Recommend reading this!
July 31, 2022
This was such a great read. CB is such a wonderful public speaker and that directly transfers into one of the best autobiographies I've ever read. It's compelling for sure and the last half really picks up steam. I couldn't put it down once we got into his public service. I've seen him speak and Booker has so much heart and charisma. You rarely see this much transparency and honesty in politicians. I really wish everyone could talk to him. My background is as opposite of his as possible, and yet I really connected with his story. This is a book everyone should read.
June 17, 2022
Informative and inspirational read. The journey of Charles Booker, from the poorest area of Kentucky, onward to becoming an elected official. However, at the same time it’s very disturbing how he faced and still faces racism amongst his colleagues in the Kentucky House of Representatives and Capital Hill. At one point, Booker, while giving a passionate plea on gun violence, was told by a colleague too “sit down and shut up!”
May 17, 2022
Booker's story is beautiful! Honestly, I found the beginning far more interesting than the middle and end. Once he gets to office, it just reads like a story of a politician doing politician things. The story of how he managed to rise up on the help of his community and make it to DC is powerful, though. And his vision of a coalition across the old boundaries could be a powerful force for change.
June 3, 2022
I listened to the audiobook. The narrators voice was wonderfully calm and so easy to listen to. I was thoroughly enjoying the book finding it quite inspirational and positive UNTIL I read his justification of hunters while he actually tried to make a case for killing innocent and unsuspecting animals. That was such a major turn off to me that my 5 star rating went to a 3.
November 27, 2023
A friend gave me a signed copy of this book as a gift. I picked it up during a power outage earlier this year, but then I let life get in the way. I finally decided to return to it this weekend and could barely put it down. I am admittedly a big fan of Charles Booker's, but I learned so much more about him and his story by reading this. And now I'm an even bigger fan!
December 16, 2023
Truly a great read (and not every politician that publishes a book has that). Not only is Charles Booker a born and raised Kentuckian, it shows his story from the beginning on what led him into politics, and the adversities he has faced (and overcame). I recommend this book for anyone; this book is about unity and the power of the voice!
August 6, 2022
He’s an admirable guy-lots of challenges and a can do attitude, but I thought he left a lot out and some of the points he was trying to make about faith and resilience seemed more like he wasn’t using his brain enough. We shall see where his future takes him.
June 11, 2023
After reading this book, I hope we see Charles Booker in politics again. But also, this is a very good book to learn more about Louisville. I actually learned more about this city than I did from all the horse racing books I read.
April 2, 2025
Rating is solely based on writing quality. I deeply wish Charles was our representative but I know he continues to do important work fighting for the people of Kentucky. His story is deeply inspiring and I enjoyed learning more about his leadership path.
April 28, 2022
It was a good read.
May 6, 2022
So moving and timely. I cried like a baby when Charles went to Harlan Co to support the Blackjewel coal miners.
June 5, 2022
Exceptional!! Now I wish I still lived in Kentucky so I could vote for him!
July 13, 2022
Eye opening, vulnerable, and beautifully-composed look into a young but mighty life.
July 18, 2022
Loved this one!!!! Wish I could vote for him.
September 25, 2022
I found From the Hood to the Holler an incredible book and history. Charles Booker is a person to watch, he will do some great things for Kentucky and The United States. I would have given it 5 stars but for the constant references to god and religion. I know this is a part of his story, but I found it off putting, however, I would vote for him in a minute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews