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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

by
Barbara Ehrenreich (Author)
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Barbara Ehrenreich (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars 1,777 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0805063899
ISBN-10: 0805063897
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (May 1, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0805063897
  • ISBN-13: 978-0805063899
  • Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,777 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 starsWhat a shame.
By Cynthia R. Knowles on May 14, 2006
Format: Hardcover
Barbara Ehrenreich seems to have missed the point of her own research. Her proposed plan was to move to a new city with a small amount of capitol, find a minimum wage job and a place to live and try to make ends meet. She was searching for insight into the working poor who represent a large segment of American workers, made larger since welfare reform. She had the opportunity to be their spokesperson, but instead she was too busy complaining about her own discomfort.

For starters, Ms. Ehrenreich doesn't give up her health insurance or car during this entire experiment. In fact, at one job she develops an itchy rash and instead of doing what the working poor who have no health insurance would do - go the the nearest drug store and buy something OTC and hope for the best - she calls her personal out-of-state dermatologist for a prescription so she is itch-free in a matter of days. Barb, honey, that's not how it works for people without health insurance! They work sick, uncomfortable, injured and even itchy. Really.

She also had the advantage of a car, which she used to drive to multiple employers during the first few days of a new job hunt, filling out applications, having interviews and hunting for an apartment. A car is a luxury many working poor don't have, so they are not able to visit 10 or more potential employers on a single day to put in applications and have interviews like she did. The real working poor use public transportation, bicycles or shoe leather. If the job location or housing is more than a mile from a public transportation route, it's off the radar for many people. I wish Barb had tried this at one of her test cities so that she could see how inconvenient, frustrating and limiting public transportation can be.Read more ›
10 Comments 306 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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3.0 out of 5 starsI really wanted to like this book but...
By Cherie Clark on March 11, 2002
Format: Hardcover
I'm not sure I'll be able to adequately explain my feelings about this book. While I expected to love it, it left me disappointed. But I can't understand all the anger I've seen in reviews I have read. Barbara Ehrenreich's heart is in the right place, I'm just not sure that she has the proper attitude or experience to write a realistic picture of what it's like to try to survive on a low paying job. She tried, though, and I suppose I need to give her more credit for that. Her premise is that no one can have a decent standard of living while working for minimum wage, and I agree it's very difficult. But she believed that before she started her experiment, and I don't think she learned anything new from her adventures in the world of low paying jobs. She only searched for details that confirmed what she already believed, and in the end, she persists in placing blame on the workers who probably feel trapped in a situation they don't know how to leave.
I think that the major fault I find with this book is Ms. Ehrenreich's attitude. She seems condescending towards her fellow employees and resentful towards her employers. And at all times, it's obvious that she can't understand what it really feels like to have to live on what she's making. She knew she would never have to. Her attitude towards her co-workers is perhaps understandable. What seems most inconsistent to me is her opinion towards ALL of her bosses. I was especially disappointed in her description of one of her managers at Wal-Mart. She introduced her boss, Ellie by saying "I like Ellie", but then went on to scornfully describe her style as "the apotheosis of 'servant leadership'...the vaunted 'feminine' style of management.Read more ›
36 Comments 439 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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2.0 out of 5 starsUnsuccessful guilt-trip targeting a privileged audience.
By nothingtoseehere on January 13, 2009
Format: Paperback
I don't think someone from a privileged upbringing like Mrs. Ehrenreich could possibly understand what it feels like to live the lives of those she profiled in this book. While she could step into their shoes for a brief few days, she knew she had a lavish book contract she was doing it for, she knew she had an education and a world of options available to her. She would never be able to experience something more intense: knowing she would have no safety nets, no help, no future, and a past she feared to reminisce in.

I found her condescension offensive at times. At one point, she referred to TGI Friday's in a scoffing manner, as part of an example of things the poor like; in reality most struggling people could not afford TGI Friday's, that seems to be a middle class establishment. I remember that in my own life (rife with struggle), I had seen TGI Friday's as a special occasion place, for celebrations like birthdays and holidays. Ehrenreich's attitude sheds light on how limited her understanding and pity is. She sees TGI Friday's like I would see a Burger King.

Her choice to go to a dry cleaners was far removed from the choices most underprivileged people would make. Most would hide a stain or purchase a few new outfits from a thrift store rather than blow money on dry cleaners - I cannot name a single truly poor person that I have known in my life that would even know what a dry cleaners is like and what it costs. When you struggle, you don't have room in your budget for such expenses. Barbara could only make room because she never felt real struggle.

Her food choices were also illustrative of a life of privilege. I made do with oatmeal and Ramen when I struggled, budgeting 5-10 dollars a week for food.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 starsAnnoyed

I was really annoyed by this book. She complained a lot. But I'd like to think her heart was in the right place. At the end I kept thinking, that's it? I was expecting more.

Published 1 day ago by Dolan
1.0 out of 5 starsDamn... that was bad.

This book doesn't feel like a social justice novel it wants you to feel. It feels more like a women bitching about work either stating completely obvious problems or connecting... Read more

Published 3 days ago by Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFunny, Interesting and Honest

What struck me upfront about this book is how open she is about the controls she's putting in place to protect herself during the course of the experiment. Read more

Published 5 days ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good product

Published 7 days ago by Egbonna Obi
1.0 out of 5 starsBarbie's War on Poverty

Barbie Ehrenreich should be writing for Cuba's leading newspaper "Granma" instead of books. Barbie fails to understand that many workers in the low wage sector are there... Read more

Published 10 days ago by Kona Kurt
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Alright

Published 10 days ago by Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 starsdon't exactly like

weird reading, don't exactly like it

Published 20 days ago by XM
2.0 out of 5 starsSomeday Someone Who Isn't Slumming Will Write About the Working Poor....

I just found this book to be entirely inauthentic. As someone who spent a significant portion of my life working a low-wage jobs her perspective was equal parts condescending and... Read more

Published 24 days ago by S. Vest
1.0 out of 5 starsSave yourself

I started this audiobook a few days ago, and mid-way through disc 2 it's becoming evident that there's no way I'll make it to the end. Read more

Published 25 days ago by Katie
5.0 out of 5 starsGood book.

A good book. Arrived on time and in good condition. I suggest reading this and Linda Tirado's "Hand to Mouth."

Published 25 days ago by J. Walker

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