Holly Smith & Owen Hatherley: Up In the Air

Jonathan Rose's work on working-class political thought explores the intellectual contributions of ordinary people historically excluded from canonical narratives. The book surveys forms of communal, practical and radical thought that emerged in working communities, challenging the elite-focused history of political ideas. Rose draws on wide archival sources to recover debates, pamphlets and grassroots initiatives that shaped working-class perspectives. His analysis highlights how these ideas influenced social movements, labor organizing and local governance. The book argues for including working-class voices in the broader history of political thought and policymaking.

The novel follows Ryan Bingham, a 35-year-old career transition counselor who works for a Denver-based management consulting company. Bingham spends most of his time traveling, conducting company layoffs, and giving motivational speeches. He is obsessed with reaching one million frequent flyer miles and plans to leave his job once he achieves this goal. The book explores themes of isolation, rootlessness, and the psychic costs of a life spent constantly on the move. Bingham's narrative delves into his dysfunctional family, his paranoid delusions, and his complex relationships, revealing a character both arrogant and vulnerable.