Book summary
by Eliza Griswold · 3 min read
A family’s fight against fracking reveals the deep fractures in rural American life.
Amity and Prosperity is a gripping, deeply reported account of how the promise of prosperity from fracking collided with the realities of rural life in Appalachia. Readers will find both a personal story of resilience and a broader examination of how economic desperation, environmental risk, and community ties shape the American experience. Eliza Griswold is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and poet known for her in-depth reporting on social and environmental issues. Her credibility stems from years of immersive reporting and her ability to give voice to those often overlooked in national debates.
At its heart, the book is a human story: Stacey Haney’s journey from hopeful leaseholder to embattled activist illustrates how the costs of fracking—contaminated water, sick children, dying animals—are borne by ordinary people. Griswold shows how these costs are not abstract, but immediate and devastating, challenging the narrative that energy booms are unqualified blessings for struggling communities.
The title itself—Amity and Prosperity—captures the tension between the hope for economic uplift and the uneven distribution of its benefits. Griswold documents how the wealth generated by fracking rarely reaches those most affected by its downsides, exacerbating existing inequalities and leaving families like the Haneys worse off than before.
The arrival of the fracking industry doesn’t just impact the environment; it fractures the social fabric of Amity and Prosperity. Griswold explores how neighbors turn against each other, some defending the industry as a lifeline, others blaming it for their suffering. This division mirrors larger national rifts over trust, expertise, and the meaning of progress.
The book highlights the difficulty of holding powerful actors accountable in rural America. Legal and regulatory systems often favor corporations, leaving residents to fight uphill battles for recognition and redress. Griswold details the painstaking work of the Haneys’ legal team, underscoring how environmental justice is often out of reach for those without resources or connections.
Despite daunting odds, Haney and her allies persist, transforming personal grievance into collective action. Griswold shows how ordinary citizens, armed with determination and the support of committed advocates, can challenge entrenched interests. The story is ultimately one of resilience and the potential for grassroots activism to effect change, even in the face of systemic obstacles.
While rooted in one family’s experience, the book resonates far beyond Pennsylvania. Griswold uses the Haneys’ struggle as a lens to examine wider questions about rural decline, the costs of progress, and the meaning of justice in contemporary America. The story is both particular and universal, illuminating the fractures—literal and metaphorical—that define the nation.
Amity and Prosperity is more than an exposé of fracking’s dangers; it’s a nuanced portrait of rural America grappling with change, loss, and the search for justice. By weaving together personal narrative and investigative journalism, Griswold invites readers to consider who pays the price for progress and what it means to fight for one’s home and community.
