PRAISE FOR 50 STATES OF MIND

 

“If you are sadly convinced that our country is hopelessly divided along political and cultural lines, then I strongly urge you to read the book that is guaranteed to give you hope.” - 
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky


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“What is America and who are the people who make up its heart and soul?  In 50 States of Mind, Ryan Bernsten gives us a window into our vast complexity, how we are different and yet alike.  In his journey through all 50 states, Bernsten talked to people from all walks of life and discovered a basic decency and love of country that prevailed in cities and towns across the nation.  At a time of depressing headlines and news stories, 50 States of Mind provides a welcome antidote and restores hope that our country will be all right in the end.” - Gov. Christine Todd Whitman

 

“Any politician, whether aspiring or actively in office, would do well to heed the words of 50 States of Mind… the book's much-needed prescription for angst and depression provides hope and a sense of purpose to modern America's struggles which is largely missing from newspaper headlines, but encouragingly present in this book. It considers the influences that polarize America, the nation's hopeful possibilities, and the pulse of a people living, breathing, and interacting to create a new American story.” - 
The Midwest Book Review

 


“Soulful, refreshing, and surprisingly funny, 50 States of Mind cuts through the divisive noise of the political moment. By approaching those he meets with humility and a commitment to listening, Ryan creates a portrait of the country which shows that, at the end of the day, most Americans have the same goals: strong communities and hope for the future.” -  
Jason Kander, former Missouri Secretary of State, U.S. Senate candidate, host of Majority 54 Podcast

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“Clear-eyed, searching, and hopeful, 50 States of Mind reminds us that democracy is not a perpetual motion machine. Without the kind of open-hearted curiosity that fueled Ryan Bernsten’s powerfully moving cross-country journey, this all falls apart. With it, America has a future.” - 
Samantha Allen, author of Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States


 

“In 50 States of Mind, Ryan Bernsten gives us a deeper, more nuanced, and ultimately hopeful portrait of our shared American life. Throughout these pages and across the miles, Ryan’s humble approach – rooted in authentic curiosity about his fellow Americans’ lived experiences – reveals to the reader that we are less divided than our politics suggest. Reconnecting to each other at the community level based on what we share in common is a necessary way out of the political morass in which we find ourselves. With compelling vignettes and lasting insights, this book is a timely reminder that politics is always first and foremost about people.”
 - Nick Troiano, Executive Director, Unite America