Super Short Summary

Maxed Out: Hard Times in the Age of Easy Credit by James D. Scurlock explores the multitrillion-dollar personal debt crisis in the United States, tracing its roots to major banking shifts targeting lower-income individuals for profit through late fees and interest charges, deregulation of financial protections like the Glass-Steagall Act, and a culture of overspending encouraged by financial institutions and government policies. Note: The book includes accounts of individuals experiencing extreme financial distress, including suicide, and discusses the consequences for low-income individuals.