Elliot Liebow (1925–1994)

I read this over 20 years ago for a college course, and I picked it up to see how it holds up. And it does! I think because I've changed so much, this almost read like an entirely different book! It is dry at times, after all it is a "study", but very insightful for those people at that time and place. Tally, Richard, Sea Cat and the others expose their lives to the author, and their life in and around the Carry-out has much to teach. I'm glad I re-read this, and who knows? Maybe I'll read show more it again in another 20 years! show less

Although published over ten years ago, this is a book with some immediacy, given the current economic situation. Liebow spends time at a shelter, getting to know a variety of different homeless women. He gives faces and personalities to a segment of the population that is often faceless and dehumanized. At times depressing, and at times hilarious, Liebow delves into what it it means to be a homeless woman in America.

The author's insight into the lives of people who are,living in the underbelly of society, is touching and truthful. Except for the Grace of the Gods, anyone could be here. Everyone should read this book. Period.

Read this in a first-year university social science course. It certainly expanded my knowledge of the black community as it was during the 1960's. It was interesting to get to know the men and their outlook on life. I admired the author for applying the participant-observer method to urban life, immersing himself in a subculture very different from his past life.