Summary

The Prologue recounted the final Tahoe that rolled off the General Motors Janesville Assembly Plant on December 23, 2008. Workers from the plant followed that final vehicle with tears and hugs, some secure with retirement benefits and others facing uncertain futures. The author, Amy Goldstein, described Janesville, Wisconsin, population 63,000. GM had been in business there since 1923, and the town revolved around the industry. Goldstein offered a brief history of the town and some of the local industry.

Part One is set in 2008. Chapter 1 is titled “A Ringing Phone.” On June 2, GM executive Rick Wagoner called Congressman Paul Ryan, a resident of Janesville, with news that the Janesville plant was closing. The announcement would be made public the following day. At 5:30 the following morning, Stan Milam, local radio talk show host and journalist, broke the story in Janesville. He had stayed up all night...