I believe it was J.D. Vance, whose book “Hillbilly Elegy” recounts the tale of how through a combination of hard work and luck he saved himself from the vicious cycle of redneck pathology. I read the book and found it interesting, although some of his personal accounts tended to strain credulity.
Sorry I didn’t see your post before I posted. I do want to read it. Will keep your review in mind.