Customer Reviews

The Underclass

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Whenever there's president election, candidates don't talk about welfare policy much because simply it's not people's popular issue. Ken Auletta described the reality of underclass, more definted term for low class, and shows the reality through real examples. When there aren't that many books on welfare system, this one's good one to really find out about the reality. Reading's not difficult and very informative.

Auletta provides a thorough and sensitive study of the underclass in one of the most depressed neighborhoods of New York City. The book focuses on personal accounts of a job-training program participates, with nationally significant statistics to reinforce the message. The discussion of attitudes and politics driving the country's perception of the poor is enlightening and will provide material for heated discussion for those who agonize over the problems faces by inner city neighborhoods. This book is a solid piece of research and well worth the read for anyone interested in urban issues, racism, welfare, and the idea of a perpetual and permanent class that can not assimilate to mainstream society.

I first read this book back in 1986 as a political science undergraduate. Out of the hundreds of political books I've read, this is one of the most memorable.

Auletta approaches the subject of the urban poor in a completely objective and disinterested way, as a journalist should. He immerses himself in the lives and personal backgrounds of poor people and documents their journey through various federal job training programs. Auletta also discusses the arguments put forth by both advocates and opponents of such programs (like Michael Harrington and Thomas Sowell) and fairly examines both the strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the issue. Most importantly, he evaluates these viewpoints based upon the actual lives and experiences of those who participate in the training programs.

In a day when too many "journalists" use their platforms for editorializing, Auletta does his profession proud. He sticks to reporting the facts, and gives a balanced view of all sides of the issue.