Super Short Summary

Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier is a true story about the author's exploration of the informal sidewalk economy in 1990s Greenwich Village, New York City. Duneier, guided by book vendor Hakim Hasan, becomes immersed in the lives of lower-income vendors, scavengers, and panhandlers. He analyzes the sociopolitical factors that drive them to leave the formal economy and the supportive dynamics within this community. The book also examines the influence of Jane Jacobs's urban theories and the impact of new policing tactics on these street vendors. Topics of racism, socioeconomic struggles, and heavy policing are discussed.