Customer Reviews

Falling from Grace: Downward Mobility in the Age of Affluence

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Newman starts with a great topic. Downward mobility is a subject that not only isn't discussed in our society, most people try not to even think about it. Newman gives some very moving accounts of downwardly mobile workers and their families; however, these accounts are very inconsistent. With some of the accounts, I felt like there was almost too much information; however, with other accounts I felt like we barely got a taste of what their personal experience with downward mobility involved.

Newman depicts 4 different groups of downwardly mobile people (middle managers, striking air tower contol workers, workers at a Singer Sewing Company factory and divorced midddle-class women). However, there's really enough information on each group to necessitate 4 individual books. This is great starting point to examine downward mobility, but the book ultimately leaves you wanting more.

When the diciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables, Jesus said that it was because they did not perceive from the Spirit. Throughout the ordeal of knowing whether I'd ever get a decent job again, Katherine was the only one whose words spoke to my soul. She is very perceptive in her assessment of what income loss and job loss does to the individual.