42 pages • 1 hour read
The Working Poor: Invisible in America
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Book Brief
352
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 2000s
2004
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Working Poor: Invisible in America, David K. Shipler reveals the struggles of low-wage workers and migrant laborers who fuel America's prosperity yet remain trapped in poverty. Through individual stories, Shipler examines interconnected factors—financial instability, exploitative work conditions, lack of skills, family challenges, and inadequate education—arguing for comprehensive, intersectional remedies to address poverty effectively. The book includes sensitive topics such as abuse, addiction, and trauma.
Informative
Challenging
Melancholic
Contemplative
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
David K. Shipler's The Working Poor provides a compelling and thorough examination of America's low-income workers. Reviewers praise its detailed narratives and insightful analysis, although some note it can be overwhelming due to the extensive focus on hardship. The book is celebrated for compassionate storytelling and raising awareness, though it leaves some desiring more solutions.
Who Should Read The Working Poor?
Readers who appreciate meticulously researched social issues and human stories would enjoy The Working Poor by David K. Shipler. It appeals to those engaged by works like Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed and Matthew Desmond's Evicted, offering a deep dive into the struggles of America's low-wage earners.
Caroline Payne
Caroline Payne
A hard-working New Hampshire Wal-Mart employee who struggles with poverty and personal hardships, including caring for a special needs daughter.
Brenda St. Laurence
Brenda St. Laurence
A case-worker and home-worker for young mothers who instills values of discipline and frugality, showing a balancing act of firmness and kindness.
Ann Brash
Ann Brash
A low-paid book editor from a middle-class background who faces poverty following a divorce but prioritizes her children's education.
Tom and Kara King
Tom and Kara King
A couple who, despite facing personal and financial struggles, remain deeply committed to each other and their family, exemplifying resilience and love.
Peaches
Peaches
A pseudonym for Celestine Travers, a woman who overcomes a difficult past and gains confidence and skills through employment training programs.
Leary Brock
Leary Brock
A determined woman from Washington, D.C. who enters rehabilitation to overcome addiction and achieves success and independence through employment.
352
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 2000s
2004
Adult
18+ years
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