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Stephen Pimpare

A People's History of Poverty in America (New Press People's History) Hardcover – November 11, 2008

by Stephen Pimpare (Author)

19 ratings

3.9 on Goodreads

123 ratings

Part of: New Press People's History (9 books)

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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.

Part of series

New Press People's History
Print length

322 pages
Language

English
Publisher

New Press, The
Publication date

November 11, 2008
Dimensions

6.5 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

9781565849341
ISBN-13

978-1565849341
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Illuminating history of America's poor, disproving many stereotypes while emphasizing that the social safety net varies "depending upon who you are, when you live, and where you live." [...]

Pimpare (political science, Yeshiva Coll.; The New Victorians: Poverty, Politics, and Propaganda in Two Gilded Ages) has written a concise and distinctive bottom-up history, arguing that there are myths about America's poor that have been around since our country's founding. Some of the myths include the belief that being poor is a moral failure and that the poor are lazy, buy too many "luxury" items, and have more children just to stay on welfare. Pimpare knocks down these myths one by one, lifting us from our ignorance in the process. The book's strength is the use of firsthand accounts from the poor, but while this is not a comprehensive history of policy, policy is not ignored. Pimpare is honest about his viewpoints, which might put off some politically conservative readers. He supports an improved welfare state, noting that historically, the United States has done a bad job of helping the poor, especially in the last 40 years. His arguments are provocative and are welcome in the study of public policy. Recommended for academic libraries. -Bryan Craig, MLS, Nellysford, VA

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

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1565849345
Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Press, The (November 11, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781565849341
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1565849341
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.36 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #628,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #311 in Poverty
- #3,669 in Historical Study (Books)
- #19,261 in United States History (Books)

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Stephen Pimpare

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Stephen Pimpare is founder and director of the UNH Public Service & Nonprofit Leadership Program and a Faculty Fellow at the Carsey School of Public Policy; he has taught at Columbia University, NYU, Simmons University, and the City University of New York. His second book, A People's History of Poverty in America, received the Michael Harrington Award from the American Political Science Association “for demonstrating how scholarship can be used in the struggle for a better world.” Dr. Pimpare previously served as a senior-level administrator of not-for-profit organizations addressing issues of poverty, hunger, and homelessness throughout New York City. One of the programs he helped to create, One City Café, New York’s first non-profit restaurant, was hailed by the New York Times as “the reinvention of the soup kitchen” and subsequently received the Victory Against Hunger Award from the U.S. Congressional Hunger Center.

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Beth Hollingshead

A perfect narrative of poverty

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 2, 2012

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I'm not even half-way done with this book (bought it for a class), and I'm in love with it. Unlike other books and articles where I have to skim because of limited time (or limited interest), I have found myself reading every word, and annotating on every page. This is truly masterful writing on the subject of poverty, showing the different faces that have made up the general population of "the poor" throughout history and into today. I feel so fortunate that the author will be coming to my class to speak next week! I'm sure that the rest of the book will be just as good as what I've read thus far, and I can't wait to read it!

5 people found this helpful

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Danielle Bird

History of the People

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 8, 2012

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Stephen Pimpare's book is an important contribution to the literature of American History. he gives an indepth look at poverty and welfare as experienced by those who live it. his book examines urban, suburban and rural poverty as seen through the eyes of those who live it everyday. Pimpare also gives an examination of policy that informs welfare programs. His book provides an indepth look at the lives of those who are so often forgotten by the people in power. This book is an excellent examination of poverty programs, welfare recipients and those who live below the view of those in charge. His book should be required reading for social workers and students of history.

6 people found this helpful

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Miroku Nemeth

An excellent book in the People's History series. This goes to the core of the matter.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 8, 2015

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"Middle-class people have rights and they like to think that everyone does. The rich, of course, know that rights are bought and sold, and the poor know it too. Those between them live in an illusion.".

Lars Eigner, quoted in Pimpare's "A People's History of Poverty in America" (141)

Not an easy book to read, but very much a necessary book to read.

3 people found this helpful

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Conn Sunyata

The content looks very good but the print is so small

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

The content looks very good but the print is so small, I am not sure I will ever find out for sure.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 13, 2014

Verified Purchase

A must read for anyone working to reduce poverty

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MARIA LACAYO

Pimpare does an excellent research and study on Poverty in America as anyone ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 16, 2015

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Dr. Pimpare does an excellent research and study on Poverty in America as anyone else before. This was a study subject directly with Dr. Pimpare during my Americorps VISTA service.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 4, 2015

Verified Purchase

Good for class. It's a great book to read for classes. I have nothing more to say about this book.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 4, 2013