The Measure of America: American Human Development Report, 2008-2009 (A Columbia / SSRC Book) [Hardcover]

Sarah Burd-Sharps (Author), Kristen Lewis (Author), Eduardo Borges Martins (Author), Amartya Sen (Foreword), William H Draper III (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 2008 | Series: A Columbia / SSRC Book

The Measure of America is the first-ever human development report for a wealthy, developed nation. It introduces the American Human Development Index, which provides a single measure of well-being for all Americans, disaggregated by state and congressional district, as well as by gender, race, and ethnicity. The Index rankings of the 50 states and 436 congressional districts reveal huge disparities in the health, education, and living standards of different groups. Clear, precise, objective, and authoritative, this report will become the basis for all serious discussions concerning the realization of a fair, just, and globally competitive American society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" The Measure of America is a wonderful tool and informative guide for readers in search of a deeper understanding of the complex nature of American society. " -- Metro Spirit "This very timely report articulates clearly the state of the country, using a multifaceted perspective; it is written in a straightforward, engaging manner... Essential." -- Choice "For the Secretaries of Labor, Education, Health, Housing, Transportation, and White House staffers on domestic policy, a highly useful gift would be: The Measure of America" -- Derek Shearer, The Huffington Post "One of The Globalist's Ten Favorite Books of 2008." "A welcome book... strongly recommended." -- Christopher Simms, The New England Journal of Medicine

Review

We get in this report not only an evaluation of what the limitations of human development are in the United States, but also how the relative place of America has been slipping in comparison with other countries over recent years. In the skilled hands of Sarah Burd-Sharps, Kristen Lewis, and Eduardo Borges Martins, the contrasts within the country—related to region, race, class, and other important distinctions—receive powerful investigation and exposure. In these growing gaps we can also see one of the most important aspects of the souring of the American Dream, which is so much under discussion today. I do not doubt that The Measure of America will receive the huge attention that it richly deserves.

(Amartya Sen 12/5/08) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (July 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231154941
• ISBN-13: 978-0231154949
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,919,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Eye-Opening, July 15, 2008

By 

New York Metropolitan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Measure of America: American Human Development Report, 2008-2009 (A Columbia / SSRC Book) (Paperback)

The American Human Development Project is far more than just a report of data and conclusions. On the contrary, it not only provides interesting insight on the state of our nation, but it gives its readers a completely fresh perspective on how to examine our collective and individual well-bring. For example, instead of emphasizing how the economy is doing (GDP, etc) we should be asking how our citizens are faring within the economy.

The report is unique and the first of its kind in that it exclusively examines the United States all the way down to its 436 congressional districts. Likewise, even more specific lenses are provided when ethnicity, age, income, etc are all included. From all this, index scores are computed and given to each locality and state, allowing readers to rank and compare just how well-off we all are. This is truly an innovative report that is well worth a long look.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Measure of America - A New Way of Looking at Us, September 9, 2011

By 

Glenn S. Leach "Glenn" (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Measure of America: American Human Development Report, 2008-2009 (A Columbia / SSRC Book) (Paperback)

This book's use of statistical data from the US Census is startling in its clarity and conclusions. We have long known that the few measures we have of the position (a subjective feel for the economic/educational/achievement) of people, or groups of people, are few and flawed. The most common is the federal poverty level which attempts to define the amount of income families of different sizes need to avoid poverty, which is only roughly defined as having some money left at the end of the month. This measure is not only one dimensional, income, but is known to be so flawed in its structure and result that the vast majority of programs that use the poverty level as a qualifier for participation use multiples of up to 300%.

By pulling together realistic measures of health, educational attainment, income, and similar data, the authors build a composite model that is multi-faceted, much more expressive and accurate. Being based on Census data, the statistical spotlight can be focused on specific areas of the country, in many cases down to county, Congressional district, or zip code instead of assuming that descriptive statistics are spread like peanut butter, uniformly across the nation.

This book and subsequent reports by the authors should be read by everyone who believes it is necessary to understand, with some accuracy, how people are actually faring in the US.

5.0 out of 5 stars This book and the web site REALLY measure up!!, September 17, 2008

By 

Penelope Snow (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Measure of America: American Human Development Report, 2008-2009 (A Columbia / SSRC Book) (Hardcover)

This is a stunning, detailed, thoughtful, and remarkably informative collection of information. The statistics and summaries illustrate trends that clearly show what our policy priorities should be and why. The website and interactive support materials found there are fun, sleek, and colorful, and bring the numbers alive, with some surprising facts revealed, positive and negative. I am using this for college level psychology course instruction, for human development and stress/health topics. What a lens this information provides, and in such an engaging, user friendly format-manifesting the ideal that human tools, knowledge and culture can and should enhance human experience and development. A must read not only for policy makers, educators, health care workers, economic advisors or investors, but for anyone living on planet earth! Penelope Snow