Poverty in America: A Handbook

These are individual case samples of poverty stricken Americans who have had their hopes, goals, and dreams for a better life smashed to pieces on page 126 Mr. Jerome Greene tells his story "It's been like hell," he says. "It's very hard to see people leave and go to work in the morning and come home every night. It's hard to see people spending money, going out and having fun and you can't. It's very stressing. Greene, about to turn 50, worked for 16 years as an Oracle software developer, most recently at a Pennsylvania company that made electronic components for cars. When he was laid off in June 2008, the recession was just taking hold, and he still had job interviews. By fall, with the economy in free fall, his phone stopped ringing." On page 121 Mr. J.R. Childress shares his experience "He's determined to stay busy, job or no job, for sanity's sake. Maybe he'll help a neighbor. Exercise. Or check out computer blueprints of construction projects around Winston-Salem, N.C., to stay connected to the world where he thrived for three decades. Childress has been laid off twice since late 2009, most recently for 10 months." On page 47 we have "Magdalyn March, 30, of Birmingham, Ala., can relate to those living in extreme poverty. in 2006, she lost a seasonal job at a packing warehouse, split with an abusive boyfriend and was caring for her two children."On page 39 we have hit the jackpot there are four different people who tell their stories "At a food pantry in a Chicago suburb, a 38-year-old mother of two breaks into tears. She and her husband have been out of work for nearly two years. Their house and car are gone. "It's like there is no way out," says Kris Fallon. She is trapped like so many others, destitute in the midst of America's abundance." Next we have "Bill Ricker, a 74-year-old former repairman and pastor whose home is a dilapidated trailer in rural Maine. He scrapes by with a monthly $1,003 Social Security check." Then "There's Brandi Wells, a single mom in West Virginia, struggling to find a job and care for her 10-month-old son." Last but not least there is "Ken Bargy, 58, had to stop working five years ago because of his health and is now on disability." These are everyday Americans whose country America has given them a swift kick to the curb of poverty.

This book came quickly and although used was in great condition. Exactly what I was expecting and what I need for my class

I am getting my MSW and this book is a great resource on the topic of poverty and what that looks like in the US.

Great read, even though I bought this for a college course It's a book I really enjoyed reading. Should be a required read for high school aged kids throughout the U.S., these issues are not addressed or taught enough in schools. Iceland does a great job of explaining poverty in America in a way that anybody can understand

Basic information on both the extent of poverty and the programs that should have helped but were viciously cut by old white GOP men.

Is exactly what it said it was .... good deal over all

Very boring. Just a bunch of statistics. Gives a great overview of the history of poverty in terms of morality and politics. Contributes to the colorblindness of current social measures. This is a good intro book to poverty.

Very interesting and well sourced book giving theories and explanations regarding the poverty seen in America. Easy to understand and read, making it a very accessible source for this information.