Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for allowing me to read and review 2020 One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed on NetGalley.

Published: 02/13/24

Stars: 3

Too soon.

I would have loved this in my early school speech years, and it would have been a staple in my college debate days.

The book is less about COVID the disease and more about political gains and losses. This is written too soon for those who lived it in responsible time. It's full of future debate cards -- one book can take your team either way.

I wasn't impressed from a reasonable person perspective.

2020 is a book that tells the story of the COVID pandemic in 2 ways: by the larger story of various aspects of the pandemic worldwide and through the smaller stories of individual experiences. It centers NYC in both these, but its total scope is quite comprehensive. It is dense but not at all dry. I went to it for the personal stories but appreciate the whole book, even though the events are so recent and I feel a bit of the collective PTSD we all seem to have around the pandemic. I think this book is a vital historical document, concentrating a lot of information about the pandemic and the human response to it. I have some mild concerns about some confirmation bias contained in it, as there are some data interpretations that seem to have been left out, but it remains an excellent work, though with a bleak ending.

I stopped reading this just after the halfway mark. It was pretty boring, and seemed pointless for those of us (right now, everyone) who just lived through it.
The chapters that focused on individuals, and their specific COVID/lockdowns were better, but not enough to dedicate the time to finish the book.
Thanks to #netgalley and #knopf for this #arc of #2020 in exchange for an honest review.

"2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed" by Eric Klinenberg is a profound and captivating exploration of the tumultuous year that reshaped the world. Through the lens of seven diverse individuals in one city, Klinenberg masterfully illustrates the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, and political upheaval, painting a vivid portrait of resilience, adversity, and transformation.

Klinenberg's narrative is deeply humanizing, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of his subjects as they navigate unprecedented challenges. The book stands out for its ability to balance personal stories with broader socio-political analysis, providing a nuanced understanding of 2020's events and their implications on society. Klinenberg, a renowned sociologist, uses his expertise to dissect the complexities of the year, from the failures of public health systems to the movements for racial justice, highlighting the interconnectedness of global and local issues.

What makes "2020" particularly compelling is Klinenberg's skill in storytelling. The individuals' stories are told with empathy and depth, making the reader feel connected to their struggles and triumphs. These personal narratives serve as a powerful lens through which the reader can understand the broader societal shifts, making the book not only an account of a year but also a testament to human resilience.

Klinenberg does not shy away from critiquing the systemic failures exposed by the events of 2020. His analysis is incisive and thought-provoking, offering valuable insights into how societies can better prepare for future crises. Yet, despite the challenges detailed in the book, there is an underlying current of hope. The resilience of the individuals and communities Klinenberg profiles suggests a capacity for healing and rebuilding that is profoundly inspiring.

"2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed" is also a call to action, urging readers to reflect on their own roles within their communities and the broader society. Klinenberg's discussion of "social infrastructure" and its role in fostering resilience and solidarity is particularly relevant, offering a blueprint for creating more inclusive and supportive communities.

In summary, Eric Klinenberg's "2020" is a masterful blend of personal narrative and sociological analysis that captures the essence of a year that will be remembered for generations. It is a book that not only documents the events of 2020 but also challenges us to think critically about our society and our place within it. For anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the year and its impact on human lives and society, "2020" is an essential and enlightening read, offering lessons that are crucial for navigating the future.

2020 revisits a banner year in American history in this non-fiction novel, one of the first to revisit that year. The year is recapped through the eyes of 7 people in the epicenter-new York city. We follow these people who represent various systems that were the most strongly impacted by the pandemic-schools, health care, restaurants, transportation, apartment dwellers, etc. who are recount the story of their lives that year. All readers will no doubt personally relate to at least one of these vignettes. Interspersed between each story is a factual account of the different periods and facets of 2020-analyzing data to illuminate all of the multi facets of 2020. The stroll down memory lane is unpleasant as we revisit the sickness, the uncertainty, the political and social upheaval, but this will be a good piece of non-fiction for future students and scholars to learn from the failure of 2020 on all fronts.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone experienced the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, but outcomes varied from local communities to states in America, to countries around the globe. I live in New York which became the epicenter of pandemic death, yet any solid information was lacking and misinformation was always a possibility. I was very interested to read Klinenberg's sociological study of the first pandemic year to finally understand the extent of this disaster.
He covered an extensive amount in this book, both on the micro and the macro levels. Evaluating how various countries successfully tamped down covid and saved their populations, he found that positive leadership and a communal desire to play by the rules were paramount to a good outcome. Along with answering the big questions, Klinenberg also addressed the pandemic through seven first person accounts from people in all boroughs of New York City. Bringing experiences down to the personal level gave the reader a way to immediately identify how people felt and how they coped with the unthinkable.
The book was very enlightening-I hope that people in positions to affect change in the next crisis will have read his observations and gotten some clues on how to manage this better.