Desmond knows poverty and is not content to simply describe it. In this short book he inquires as to why poverty exists in the richest nation in the world. His argument and evidence is convincing: poverty in America exists and is increasing because we have contented ourself with government and economic structures which benefit the wealthier at the expense of the poorer. Desmond also offers suggestions on how to begin to reform our systems to make it possible for working people to lift out of poverty. All this in under 300 pages (about a third of the book is footnotes and other apparatus). ( )

This book touched on a lot of great points pushing the reader to take action against poverty. I do think it is unrealistic of a goal to put mind into our purchases as corporations have consolidated but there are definitely other strategies outlined in the book that make sense. I found parts of the book almost textbook repetitive. It is clear the author is passionate about this topic. I don't think it's a book I could recommend to many people because of it. But I could definitely bring up concepts that I have taken away from the book. ( )

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5326809308

A stunning critique of our systems and how we allow, and benefit from, their designed system of taking from the poor to prop up the rich. Those with experience growing up in poverty and working with the impoverished will find much to be furious about, and just as much to be inspired by.

I wrote a longer review / reflection with my thoughts on the book from the perspective of someone who has worked on homelessness for some years here: https://www.thomasbates.info/field-notes/book-review-poverty-by-america ( )

After being so impressed with Evicted, I was very disappointed in this book. I agree that our society would be much better if we all worked to eliminate poverty, but desmond's arguments were not persuative. They also were too idealistic considering the way the worled is moving. I wish this were not so. he also indicated that many of those in poverty may not be interested in leaving their state, which i also found unrealistic based on people i know. ( )

I should imagine that there are quite a few people who hate this book and think that he has got it all wrong but what can't really be argued is that the ways in which we try to reduce poverty are not working. And Desmond argues that this is because the rich want the status quo. Someone is always making money out of poverty and it is this that needs to be stopped.

I listened to this as an audiobook but it is one that would be better being read as a book because it is so hard to go back and find quotes and there are obviously no page numbers. Desmond argues that we are all to blame for poverty because we don't stand up and shout about it and even when we do have successes, we don't shout about those either. There are several interesting ideas for reducing poverty, none of which are earth shattering:

Pay a decent minimum wage. This in itself has the power to make a significant difference. It offers stability and fairness to those who wait and clean and do all those jobs that most of us wouldn't want to do but like to have others who will do it.

Unionise - it is these groups that fight for social/class/race justice, fair working conditions and pay and are on the side of workers. If we have to wait for each Starbucks or Amazon workplace to do this, we will wait for ever. Desmond encourages us to ask 'Who benefits?' when we see the unfair work practices and pay.

Affordable housing where maintenance is a priority so that tenants are not left in conditions that are unsuitable to live in.

Benefits that are universal and then targetted. He states that it is only the wealthy who can get mortgage interest relief because the poor can't get bank accounts never mind loans to buy houses they can afford.

Ensure that schools are excellent so that everybody has the chance to learn which means the same funding, staffing, resourcing and opportunities.

I don't know how this book would be received in America, who likes to be told they are part of the problem, but it is an interesting discussion particularly as some of these ideas have roots in research and trials. What would happen if there were a county or state that did it all? That set out to reduce poverty and this drove all of their policies. I wonder who would complain?

A fascinating and well-written narrative around poverty that was like listening to a story. ( )