A People's History of Poverty in America (New Press People's History) [Hardcover]

Stephen Pimpare (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1565849345 | ISBN-13: 978-1565849341

A sweeping, revelatory history of poverty in America from the nineteenth century to today, told through the eyes and experiences of the poor themselves. "When you live in a shelter, other people control your life. They tell you when you may come in and when you must go out. They tell you when you can take your shower and when you can wash your clothing."—from A People's History of Poverty and Welfare in America

In this compulsively readable social history, a brilliant new addition to The New Press's acclaimed People's History series, political scientist Stephen Pimpare vividly describes poverty from the perspective of poor and welfare-reliant Americans from the big city to the rural countryside. He focuses on how the poor have created community, secured shelter, and found food and illuminates their battles for dignity and respect.

Through prodigious archival research and lucid analysis, Pimpare details the ways in which charity and aid for the poor have been inseparable, more often than not, from the scorn and disapproval of those who would help them. In the rich and often surprising historical testimonies he has collected from the poor in America, Pimpare overturns any simple conclusions about how the poor see themselves or what it feels like to be poor—and he shows clearly that the poor are all too often aware that charity comes with a price. It is that price that Pimpare eloquently questions in this book, reminding us through powerful anecdotes, some heart-wrenching and some surprisingly humorous, that poverty is not simply a moral failure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[A] sympathetic social history that allows poor people, past and present, to tell their own remarkably similar stories.
—Booklist

A concise and distinctive bottom–up history.
—Library Journal

The voices of the poor give valuable insights into the experience of poverty.
—Choice

[A] deft and highly readable weaving of historical and contemporary material . . . . This is exactly the history that needs to be uncovered in America today.
—Socialist Worker

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Stephen Pimpare is the author of The New Victorians: Poverty, Politics, and Propaganda in Two Gilded Ages. He teaches American politics and social welfare policy at Yeshiva College and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work.


Howard Zinn is professor emeritus at Boston University. He is the author of numerous books including A People’s History of the United States, the award-winning Declarations of Independence, and Failure to Quit, as well as the recent memoir You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train and the play Marx in Soho.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 322 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565849345
• ISBN-13: 978-1565849341
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Pimpare is the author of The New Victorians: Poverty, Politics, and Propaganda in Two Gilded Ages (The New Press). He teaches at NYU's Silver School of Social Work, and lives in New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Book Fills Much Needed Gap in Literature, May 12, 2009

By 

Cali LaRue (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A People's History of Poverty in America (New Press People's History) (Hardcover)

Finally a book that traces poverty in the U.S. in historical perspective, and through the voices of the poor themselves. Read it to learn about the lived experience of poverty. This is a must read for social scientists and everyday people alike. Well-written with succinct, insightful analysis by the author. Take it from someone who has first hand experience and has studied the subject for a long time---this book is well worth the price. You won't be able to put it down.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too many anetocdes, January 3, 2012

By 

aru2310 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A People's History of Poverty in America (The New Press People's History Series) (Paperback)

This book is interesting. Its good to hear from the people in poverty and their lives but author puts too many examples throughout each page. 1 or 2 is sufficient but some pages are nothing but quotes from different people even entire chapters. Author too is biased and casts doubt on all but poor people.

1 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unimpressive, May 12, 2010

By 

D. J. Merkowitz (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A People's History of Poverty in America (New Press People's History) (Hardcover)

I bought this with the expectation that it would be a work of history rather than a cut and paste job.