What a work! Very engaging and about a part of the human experience I don't know about, so it was easy to get caught up. Will definitely use with students.

Unfortunately I was unable to view/read this book in the format it was proved in. :(

My thanks to NetGalley and NYU Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Let me start off by saying that this book, as well as any other on this topic, is INCREDIBLY important. For those who don't deal with people who are poverty-stricken on a day-to-day basic, it's easy to fall prey to the whole "they're just lazy and pumping out babies to get more money from welfare" attitude. It's easy to forget that those who are poor are human beings and no one wakes up one day and says that they want to be homeless and poor.

Yes, there are those who scam the system, but most are just trying to survive in the best way that they can with what little they are given.

However, this book does not do the issue of poverty justice. Let me explain.

1) The scope of this book is SO SMALL. You get to hear from 50 different people, mostly all women, mostly with children, half who were part of the Kensington Welfare Reform Union and half who were not. The racial breakdown was pretty even, whites, African Americans and Latinas, from most of the poorer areas of Philadelphia, PA. But she only interviewed the ones who were trying to make it, trying to get an education or work and then claiming that all poor people are hardworking and trying to live the American dream. No, not buying it. I know for a FACT that there are people who abuse the system and DO pump out as many babies as possible to get benefits. Let's make a deal. I won't say all poor or homeless or people on welfare are scamming the system and you don't say that they are all just being kept down by "the man" and "the system", ok?

Also, she only interviewed legal residents of America. This doesn't touch on what illegal immigrants go through at all. She admits that, but still, not a complete picture of poverty.

2) Even though those she spoke to all claimed to be responsible for their circumstances, the author was 100% blaming the system and the "American Dream" (the idea that anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps to make something of themselves) is keeping people from seeing the system is in their way and not themselves. That no matter what they do, GED, high school diploma, even a college education, it's not going to get them out of where they are now because the deck is stacked against them.

Again, not 100% correct. I have family who can NOT handle money. Like at all. As in, they lost the house and live in a trailer now, because they had to "keep up with the Jones'". Biggest TV, most modern sound system, brand new cars that they bought because they "liked the color", rather than it being something they can afford. Eating out two meals a day EVERY day rather than food shopping and making meals at home. They are 100% the reason they have money problems.

I have a friend who really has had the deck stacked against their entire family. They work hard and no matter what, life slaps them down. They aren't perfect, but they are most definitely NOT the reason they are having money issues.

So I can see both sides. Yes, life isn't fair. If you are born into a less-well off family, going to school and live in a less than optimal neighborhood, if your health or the health of a bread-winner is bad, if you couldn't get a standard education, then you are starting with less cards in your hand than someone born with great health, a better financial footing and stable living and learning conditions.

BUT. If you can't spend wisely, if you fritter money away on things you don't need, if you don't save, you aren't helping yourself, you are hurting yourself and you are the reason for your circumstances. So I don't agree with the author ONLY blaming society and the government.

3) Yes, the Government needs to step it up and I would say the welfare system needs a MASSIVE overhaul, but not to blindly give out money. We need more social workers who not only investigate each case they have, but also take a much deeper interest in those with whom they are working. Hire more social workers, give them more training and less of a case load so no one slips through the cracks. And YES, drug test. If people are scamming the system, boot them off. If someone truly needs it, then give them what they need. Also, I think education and job training with actual jobs behind them is key. Give a man a fish, he eats for one day. Teach a man to fish, and he will never go hungry.

What she was suggesting sounded more like socialism to me. And while I'm sure that is a very good system, it works in many other countries, no problems, I think we are too far down the road to do socialism effectively. Our political leaders are corrupt enough. Why give them even MORE power and money to play with?

4) This isn't an issue with the thesis of the book, but a rather large pet peeve. She repeated herself A LOT. It really got on my nerves and I ended up skimming a good portion of the book.

One star deducted for each of the above reasons, with one added back because I give her credit, she has a HUGE amount of notes in the back of the book. She did some heavy research and did go out there and interviewed 50 different people in not so nice areas of Philadelphia. She's got guts if nothing else. And she is shining a, sadly, still necessary light on the problem of poverty and homelessness in America.

Not a book I would recommend to everyone, but if you are interested in poverty in the Philadelphia area and want to broaden your knowledge of it, this may be a good book for you. Two stars for me. Not quite my cuppa, but not one I regret reading.