(Reviewed by JD Jung)
If you want to understand the mindset and motivations of entrepreneur-turned-politician Andrew Yang, Hey Yang, Where’s My Thousand Bucks? And Other True Stories of Staggering Depth offers an accessible and surprisingly candid look. The book blends memoir with Yang’s vision for the future of American politics.
Yang recounts the process of running for president after Donald Trump’s first presidential victory. Readers revisiting the 2020 election cycle will recognize his signature proposal: a $1,000-per-month universal basic income designed to offset job displacement caused by artificial intelligence.
The memoir highlights Yang’s early life, as well as his family, and entrepreneurial background. He explains the decade-long journey behind what appeared to be an “overnight success”, as he became a millionaire at age thirty-four. He reflects openly on political defeats — from his presidential campaign to his 2021 New York City mayoral run — framing the decisions to run fueled by what he calls “irrational self-confidence.” However, he doesn’t rule out a run for President in 2028.
One of the book’s most interesting sections explores the surprising setback of a major project of “Humanity Forward”, a nonprofit aimed at advancing bipartisan solutions nation – and – worldwide. Also, fascinating is his idea of reshaping the political landscape through the “Forward Party”, a third-party movement focused on local elections, rather than acting as a presidential spoiler.
Yang’s writing style is conversational and highly readable. While the humor leans more elementary than sharp or satirical, it reinforces the book’s approachable tone.
Hey Yang, Where’s My Thousand Bucks? is a thoughtful, but light memoir that will appeal to readers interested in the man, Andrew Yang. Even though it may not be as humorous as he aimed for, it’s still an informative and enjoyable read.