Poverty, by America
Educational
Thought provoking
Meaningful

Poverty, by America

The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages? In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow. Elegantly written and fiercely argued, this compassionate book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem. It also helps us imagine solutions. Desmond builds a startlingly original and ambitious case for ending poverty. He calls on us all to become poverty abolitionists, engaged in a politics of collective belonging to usher in a new age of shared prosperity and, at last, true freedom.
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Reviews

Photo of Omar Fernandez
Omar Fernandez@omareduardo
4.5 stars
Oct 10, 2023
Ambitious
Compelling
Insightful
Thought provoking
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J. L. Askew@jimmy424
3 stars
Sep 1, 2023
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Eitan Hershkovitz@ehershkovitz
5 stars
Aug 10, 2023
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Beecher Halladay@beecher
4.5 stars
Jul 27, 2023
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Adam@looptem
4 stars
Mar 9, 2024
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Alyssa C Smith@alyssacsmith
4.5 stars
Dec 29, 2023
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Jess Frees@jesp
4.5 stars
Jul 27, 2023
Contemplative
Photo of Anton Sten
Anton Sten@antonsten
5 stars
May 21, 2023
Meaningful
Educational
Unforgettable
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Patty Pforte@pfortep1
5 stars
May 4, 2023
Unique
Vibrant
Inventive
Meaningful
Fascinating
Inspirational
Thought provoking
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Jennifer@mrslibrarian
4 stars
Apr 27, 2023
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Lindsay@schnurln
5 stars
Apr 24, 2023
Candid
Simple
Eloquent
Convincing
Educational
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Hannah Yoon@yoonreads
4 stars
Mar 23, 2024
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Brittany Wu@britttany
5 stars
Feb 12, 2024
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Melissa Railey@melrailey
4 stars
Jan 18, 2024
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Lindsy Rice@lindsyrice
5 stars
Jan 12, 2024

Highlights

Photo of Omar Fernandez
Omar Fernandez@omareduardo
Photo of Omar Fernandez
Omar Fernandez@omareduardo
Photo of Anton Sten
Anton Sten@antonsten
Photo of Lindsay
Lindsay@schnurln