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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
lilmagicalgirl's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really good book and really got me thinking about the actual working people who still remain poor. Not all poor people take money from the government because they're lazy, but because they couldn't survive otherwise.
shellbybranch's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
One of the more comprehensive books that can articulate, through the working class' narratives, how challenging it can be to escape poverty in the US. It is the combination of both individual choices and underfunded/bureaucratic social programming that maintains social class standing. Unfortunately, the lower class cannot afford to make mistakes in the same way that the upper class can. Each story is compelling, and the author presents plenty of scholarly references and political insight to frame the macro landscape of the experiences that are being told. Unfortunately, 20 years later, not much has changed in the US (including the minimum wage). But the workers are organizing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse and Physical abuse
alyssalizarraga's review against another edition
4.0
It is my hope that no American needs to be told that our country runs on the labor of the underpaid. If I am wrong and this is a novel concept, fine. Let’s educate. If I’m correct and everyone is already aware, a much bleaker portrait of our national will is painted. Shipler presents his case for reform by following the lives of some of the lowest-paid workers in America as they recall the interconnected factors that led them to (or kept them from escaping) poverty. Was it the nature of the system or themselves? Was it the nurture (or lack thereof) of their families or the overextended public programs? Was it all of the above, and is there any way to separate any of it?
While I wouldn’t claim that this book provides a groundbreaking perspective on poverty, it does serve as an important insight into the complexities of class in America. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that the responsibility of poverty lies solely within either the individual or the government.
While I wouldn’t claim that this book provides a groundbreaking perspective on poverty, it does serve as an important insight into the complexities of class in America. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that the responsibility of poverty lies solely within either the individual or the government.
apatrick's review against another edition
4.0
It's a little depressing how little has changed in the 10 years since this book was published, but at least more people have health insurance. I picked up this book because it was recently the victim of an attempted ban by a very wealthy school district in my area. It's a staple of college social work courses and I had seen it tons of times, so I figured I ought to read it and see what the big deal is.
I have no idea how any school district could ban this book. It's really interesting, well-researched, and contains excellent scholarship, which makes it a good read for sociology courses. It's also wonderfully well-written and compelling, and the way the citations are done is an excellent example of scholarly writing, so it would also be great for writing students.
Shipler explores why people are poor despite having a job, and finds that there isn't one reason, there are a multitude of problems that affect low-income people and families and prevent them from achieving even a moderate safety net. This is not a surprise to anyone who has read Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed, also a well-known title about the lower end of the earning spectrum. Shipler's book is ultimately a little more optimistic, since he presents some ideas for solutions.
This is a great book for people who like reading about real people. If you liked Studs Terkel's Working, you'll like this, too, and if you liked this book, read that one!
I have no idea how any school district could ban this book. It's really interesting, well-researched, and contains excellent scholarship, which makes it a good read for sociology courses. It's also wonderfully well-written and compelling, and the way the citations are done is an excellent example of scholarly writing, so it would also be great for writing students.
Shipler explores why people are poor despite having a job, and finds that there isn't one reason, there are a multitude of problems that affect low-income people and families and prevent them from achieving even a moderate safety net. This is not a surprise to anyone who has read Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed, also a well-known title about the lower end of the earning spectrum. Shipler's book is ultimately a little more optimistic, since he presents some ideas for solutions.
This is a great book for people who like reading about real people. If you liked Studs Terkel's Working, you'll like this, too, and if you liked this book, read that one!
frooblie's review against another edition
3.0
This has been known in our house as, "that book that you shouldn't read in October," because we're all seasonal employees, and all get laid off at the end of October every year. And yet I always start reading it...in October. It's a terrible idea, but this year, I made it all the way though!
I was going to say that I didn't feel like the book said anything new, but I did appreciate the time the author spent with the different characters. It give a fuller picture of each situation than I had through superficially knowing people in tenuous circumstances. Still, if you have your eyes open, very of this book will be shocking. I think that's why it's so hard to read in October; it's just a little too real.
The book's also, at this point, kind of old. It would be interesting to read a follow-up.
I was going to say that I didn't feel like the book said anything new, but I did appreciate the time the author spent with the different characters. It give a fuller picture of each situation than I had through superficially knowing people in tenuous circumstances. Still, if you have your eyes open, very of this book will be shocking. I think that's why it's so hard to read in October; it's just a little too real.
The book's also, at this point, kind of old. It would be interesting to read a follow-up.
annakmeyer's review against another edition
5.0
So difficult to read, yet so important. Definitely pulled at my bleeding liberal heart. But I really couldn't tell Shipler's political views until the last chapter - it may be if I go back and read it, other things will be obvious.
Everyone should read this book and maybe we'll all be a little nicer to our waitresses and service employees caught in dead end jobs.
Everyone should read this book and maybe we'll all be a little nicer to our waitresses and service employees caught in dead end jobs.
gracep1750's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
avocadorocketship's review against another edition
4.0
This book was my first assignment for one of my social work classes. My professor said: "Have the Shipler book read by next week" as if it was a modest request. It is 300 pages, and only one assignment from only one class. So, it seemed incredibly daunting. After reading non-stop all weekend, I finished it.
Can I get an AMEN?
Anyway, good book.
Graduate school? I don't recommend it.
Can I get an AMEN?
Anyway, good book.
Graduate school? I don't recommend it.
cjm1's review against another edition
5.0
Skip Nickel and Dimed...this communicates the message much better.