encgolsen 's review for:

Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope by Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl Wudunn

4.5

hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

---

In this illuminating book, author Nicholas Kristof returns to his hometown, rural Yamhill, Oregon, to explore the pitfalls of poverty, addiction and despair that have ravaged the lives of his childhood friends. These personal stories reflect alarming national trends and highlight the human toll of America's statistical decline relative to other developed countries. Kristof and his wife and fellow author, Sheryl WuDunn don't just describe the problems they see--they conclude the book with real world ideas and policy proposals, providing a much needed modicum of hope that it doesn't have to be this way.