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Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope

Nicholas D. Kristof (Goodreads Author),

Sheryl WuDunn (Goodreads Author)

4.34 · Rating details · 1,169 ratings · 234 reviews

The Pulitzer Prize-winning authors of the acclaimed, best-selling Half the Sky now issue a plea--deeply personal and told through the lives of real Americans--to address the crisis in working-class America, while focusing on solutions to mend a half century of governmental failure.

With stark poignancy and political dispassion, Tightrope draws us deep into an "other ...more

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Hardcover, 304 pages

Published January 14th 2020 by Knopf Publishing Group

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Jan 02, 2020 Book of the Month added it

Why I love it
by Dave Eggers

In a country that purports to root for the underdog, too often we exalt the rich and we punish the poor. This is an unflinching book that illustrates that central, confounding American paradox. With thorough reporting and extraordinary compassion, Kristof and WuDunn tell the stories of those who fall behind in the world’s wealthiest country. In the most vulnerable regions, they find not an efficient first-world safety net created by their government, but merely a ...more

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Feb 11, 2020 Lisa rated it really liked it

A comprehensive book covering many of the issues confronting Americans: homelessness, inequality, drug addiction, poverty, limited education and access to health care and more. Kristof and WuDunn write in an approachable, empathetic manner, personalizing these topics with stories.

One of the problems I have with some non-fiction books is they are sometimes padded magazine articles that are too repetitive. That was not a problem here! But it also didn't feel condensed. I like the authors point ...more

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Jan 10, 2020 Camille rated it really liked it

When I saw this book on BOTM, I prepared to bore myself with a "textbook like" analysis of the state of America today. I was presently surprised at how personal the author made the book to his hometown and life, by delving into specific family members and friends. I found this to be a quick read, with well thought out scenarios and extensive research.

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Jan 11, 2020 Ginger rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cultural-studies, botm

I’m a writer in the margins but I don’t think I have EVER written in the margins more than in this book—arguments, agreements, questions.

I picked this on a whim from BOTM, and I’m glad I did. I devoured it, despite its difficult subject matter. The authors are fantastic storytellers which helps underline and illustrate their points.

I disagree with the authors on a lot of their conclusions, but I found them balanced and thoughtful. They made neither victims nor villains of their subjects. There I’m a writer in the margins but I don’t think I have EVER written in the margins more than in this book—arguments, agreements, questions.

I picked this on a whim from BOTM, and I’m glad I did. I devoured it, despite its difficult subject matter. The authors are fantastic storytellers which helps underline and illustrate their points.

I disagree with the authors on a lot of their conclusions, but I found them balanced and thoughtful. They made neither victims nor villains of their subjects. There were times when I quibbled with the logic and language (they often slipped into passive voice when contending that they insisted on personal responsibility or resorted to light ad hominem attacks, assigning motives without support and calling policy “mean-spirited” when it’s possible the other side just has a different perception of what’s best long term, at times painted motives with broad strokes, attributing choices to luck and vice versa, and occasionally conflated correlation with causation without support), but overall, they leaned heavily on the bipartisan three-pronged fact that people who finish high school, get a job, and marry before having children, in that order, have a literal 98% avoidance of poverty rate, along with all that entails.

They stress the government component of education yes, but refreshingly don’t ignore personal responsibility of work, and family responsibility of the roles of marriage, home, and children.

Many times proposed solutions lean too hard to one side—forgetting that government does have a role to play—or to the other—that people’s choices and families are key in preventing problems that stem from and accompany poverty. It’s both, together. Forget any one component and you’re still likely fighting a losing battle.

They offer plenty of solutions throughout the text, but one of the most useful parts of a Kristof/WuDunn book is they leave readers at the end with ten steps you can take to make a difference. Not every one will be applicable to every person, but I underlined about half that I can likely do (one time actions like calling state representatives to petition for diversion programs for drug offenders, or repeat measures like volunteering at some of the most high-impact initiatives). I also appreciated that the vast majority of the suggestions did not involve the government. As a conservative, I want government doing less, and individuals doing more, especially at the local level. Systems are made up of people, after all. Government can’t best fix what government didn’t break.

But in a partisan era, we need each other. The authors quote Ray Dalio saying, “The problem is that capitalists typically don’t know how to divide the pie well and socialists typically don’t know how to grow it well.”

I want to hand this to every pastor, teacher, neighbor, veteran, doctor, politician, law enforcement officer, economist, parent I know. My heart was moved, but just as importantly, my mind was moved.

[This really does do a fantastic job of being bipartisan, but it does lean left, championing causes that are typically partisan in the US—universal heath care, a child allowance, sex education in schools. For another take on a middle ground work that leans slightly right, try Rod Dreher’s Crunchy Cons. Both these works together do much to inform what initiatives we can easily come together on.] ...more

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Jan 28, 2020 JEN A rated it really liked it

This book was extremely eye-opening. It gave me a lot to think about with regards to poverty, drugs, obesity, etc in America. I would highly recommend that everybody read this book before the next election.

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Jan 12, 2020 Erin Cataldi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-of-the-month, 2020

This book should be required reading. It's insightful, depressing, yet still ultimately hopeful. Pulitzer Prize winning couple write a gut wrenching account of how America has ultimately failed it's people in the last half century through the lens of author Nicholas D. Kristof's hometown, Yamhill and a few other US locations. From a broken education, prison, health system and more; the authors explain how the system used to be, how it is now, and what can be done to fix it to bring the United ...more

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Jan 12, 2020 Gale rated it it was amazing

“If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” - Heather Heyer, 2017

Pay attention, America. That’s what this book is telling us. I may not agree with Kristof and WuDunn’s politics and recommendations at times, but that does not change the fact that they have laid out harsh and painful truths in this book. It is not a perfect book, and some people may be turned off by the authors’ obvious left-leaning biases. Why the 5 stars? Because this is NECESSARY. I feel privileged to have the “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” - Heather Heyer, 2017

Pay attention, America. That’s what this book is telling us. I may not agree with Kristof and WuDunn’s politics and recommendations at times, but that does not change the fact that they have laid out harsh and painful truths in this book. It is not a perfect book, and some people may be turned off by the authors’ obvious left-leaning biases. Why the 5 stars? Because this is NECESSARY. I feel privileged to have the chance to read it.

It talks about topics that we typically shy away from - poverty, drug addiction, healthcare, lack of quality education, mass incarceration, the erosion of our society as a whole, and our failure as a nation through a history of poor policy making that has been continually anti-poor and anti-working class. They further argue that yes, personal responsibility is a factor in an individual’s outcomes in life, but that our failure to be empathetic, to see beyond invidual choices, and acknowledge that we as a society is also partly responsible for a person’s future, further compounds social problems.

It is very painful to read about past and present policy failures and how it has trickled down to America’s poor, children in particular. It is painful to know that here in America, millions still do not have access to quality healthcare, mental health counseling, and basic quality education. It is even more painful to know that research continually shows that only the top 1% has truly benefited from the economic boom but the rest at the bottom 90% has continually done worse. And it seems like politicians, both from the left and right, have failed to listen and keep up with the times. The book calls for drastic action if we are to remain the superpower that we claim to be.

Regardless of your political views, every American should be involved in the conversation about how we can improve the quality of life in this country, invest more in human capital, and create fair opportunities for everyone. At the end of the day, issues like jobs creation, access to quality healthcare, quality education, and drug policies will affect all of us in some way.

This is required reading for every American as far as I am concerned - lawmakers, mentors, educators, businessmen, students, and ordinary people like me who care. Kudos to Kristof and WuDunn for such engaging writing in terms that are easy to understand. ...more

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Feb 04, 2020 Jessica Jeffers rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, audio

This hits the nail absolutely on the head.

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Jan 25, 2020 Cheryl rated it did not like it

This book landed itself in my DNF pile at page 81 at halfway down the page. I do not feel this book is about Americans reaching for hope at all. This book is written by 2 authors who are wanting the US government to coddle and hand out hope to those less fortunate.

Possible indirect spoilers.....

I overlooked the sly remarks blaming President Trump. Co-Authors were discussing and placing blame of the demise starting in the 60s and 70s. It is ok to not like Trump and this did not affect my rating ...more

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Jan 17, 2020 Joan Fung-Tomc rated it did not like it

Political & 1-sided....thereby hindering honest, open dialogue as a country to find solutions for bettering America's challenges.

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Jan 06, 2020 Kacie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own-a-copy

I chose Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope as one of my January 2020 Book of the Month selections. There were no advance reviews for me to read, but the synopsis sounded promising.

Tightrope is an important book for our times. It is thoroughly-researched and compassionately written.

The authors interview people in an attempt to put a face on problems stemming from poverty, including drug addiction, unemployment, poor health, lack of education, abuse. Problems are multi-generational, with each ...more

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Feb 07, 2020 Jiny S rated it it was amazing

This book is incredibly well researched. The author touches upon many societal issues that are plaguing modern day America, including but not exclusive to 1) the lack of family planning that contributes to unplanned pregnancies that inevitably led to broken careers and child poverty, 2) the systematic way pharmaceutical companies conduce medical professionals to prescribe massive amount of pain medications that turn normal hardworking people to addicts, and 3) the expensive medical, legal, and ...more

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Jan 23, 2020 Mehrsa rated it it was amazing

I think we can make a whole library now of books about "forgotten Americans" in the "heartland." This one is better than most because it is cross-racial and they actually do both stories and stats well. The only issue I had with it was that it felt like it was trying to convince the right that poverty was not a result of bad decisions. If you already do not think that, these arguments seemed really patronizing to the people. The solutions sections was also not great in my opinion--they just put ...more

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Jan 18, 2020 Jill Meyer rated it it was amazing

In their book, “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope”, authors Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDann looks at America’s working class and their problems in an economy much touted by President Trump. In many cases, these people have been left behind. They’re not in the Top 1%; in many cases, they don’t reach the Top 80%! What accounts for their lag in today’s society? And what can help them? WuDann and Kristof center ‘round on two things - more and better early education and getting off a In their book, “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope”, authors Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDann looks at America’s working class and their problems in an economy much touted by President Trump. In many cases, these people have been left behind. They’re not in the Top 1%; in many cases, they don’t reach the Top 80%! What accounts for their lag in today’s society? And what can help them? WuDann and Kristof center ‘round on two things - more and better early education and getting off a multi-generational addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Kristof and WuDann center their book on the small Oregon town of Yamhill, where Nick Kristof was raised. They’ve retained their connection to the town and it’s people through frequent visits home and Nick retains friendships with townspeople. However, many of his old friends are dead, due to drink and drugs and food. They tell the stories of children of drunken and abusive parents, who died early and passed their addictions down the familial line, causing more early deaths and long prison terms for many of those who’ve survived.

Now, not all Yamhillians are caught in the generational cycle of poverty and addiction. Many people, like Nick Kristof, have found a way out. Maybe, like Kristof, they were raised in a two-parent home where books and education were valued. Maybe their get-up-and-go was working and they got-up-and-went.

What can help break these cycles so prevalent in both rural and urban America, where babies having babies perpetuate poverty and addiction? Better and earlier education and complete access to birth control would be a start. More retraining for those whose jobs have either been sent elsewhere, or just eliminated. The authors look at a situation in Detroit and Windsor, Canada in 2008, where car manufacturing jobs were eliminated. Americans stressed the workers finding more jobs in auto manufacturing, where as a Canadian fix was to retrain the workers in new age jobs. Of course, the Canadian system provides for universal health care, so the unemployed didn’t have to worry about access to health care.

But DuWann and Kristof do point out some rays of hope. Programs around the country begun by both concerned citizens and governmental agencies that help those who need help in breaking the proverbial cycles. There aren’t enough of the programs, particularly under the Trump administration, but hopefully things - and priorities- will change under a new presidential administration. They give a list of private agencies the reader can contribute to if so inclined.

Nick Kristof and Sheryl DuWann’s book joins several other recent books on the topic of America’s working class and is one of the best. ...more

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Jan 12, 2020 William rated it it was amazing

A haunting look into the severe and heartbreaking consequences of policy failures across America. An absolute must read

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Jan 18, 2020 Megan rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, politics

Nothing in this was new to me, but this would be a good book for anyone who wants to educate themselves on how terrible the economy is in the US. Although honestly the authors are too sympathetic to some of these people.

They do talk a little about Remote Area Medical which is a group I'm a little familiar with. I didn't know the founder died! I moved away from there and no one told me, haha. (Those people sure love getting their free dental care once or twice a year, but they sure don't want ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Michael rated it it was amazing

Shelves: politics, nonfiction, where-it-all-went-wrong

This is a powerful book about where America has gone way, way wrong. Before I forget, I have a bit of a syllabus going in regard to the good old US of As woes:

The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Janesville: An American Story

The books above are about working class white people completely imploding. For a tour of African-America's economic and social hellscape, try these ...more

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Jan 22, 2020 Isabelle Leventhal rated it it was amazing

WuDunn and Kristof do a wonderful job of putting anecdotes and faces to the direct consequences of policy, lack of federal funding, and identifying what makes or breaks people is so beyond their character. As someone who has spent much time thinking about the social determinants of health and deaths of despair, this book felt written for me but is accessible for non policy nerds as well. The vehicle of the kids on Kristof’s bus is especially powerful.

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Jan 17, 2020 Naomi Krokowski rated it it was amazing

Equal parts heartrending and hopeful, this magnificent work of research and reflection was a gripping read. America has invested unwisely in things that have brought us terrible returns: punitive laws and prisons, diminishing life expectancies, rising rates of child abuse and poverty. We are not number 1 any longer in things that reflect a healthy society. The statistics are grim. Thankfully, authors Kristioff and WuDunn assure readers that they are aware of solutions and programs (both public ...more

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Jan 15, 2020 Kathy (Bermudaonion) rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars

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Feb 12, 2020 Janet A. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The authors did a really good job of describing how easily a child can fall through the cracks in today’s America. And how we could help to stop that from happening.

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Jan 13, 2020 Michelle Mosley rated it it was amazing

As someone that's lived in a poor, rural community for most of my life, I was able to relate to these authors' experiences of seeing friends and family members' lives destroyed by drugs and despair and wishing for change that never comes. It's clear that poverty is deeply misunderstood by many people, even those that live in and around it, and that being poor has come to be seen as a sin. A compassionate, thought-provoking, and important work.

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Jan 12, 2020 Kristen rated it really liked it

This book offers both stories and statistics, as well as specific solutions. I have long known about the problems facing economically depressed small towns in theory, but the stories in this book bring them to life in tangible, devastating and infuriating ways. America can be so much better than this.

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Jan 14, 2020 Robin Case rated it it was ok

The best part of this book is the audio version read by Jennifer Garner. I picked this book because many of the anecdotes were from a geographical area near me. I could relate to those accounts. The economic analysis, however, was really terrible. Not recommended for the financial and political literate.

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Jan 25, 2020 Sierra Menzies rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 500-before-30

#6 in 2020. **Long review warning**

I was OBSESSED with this book. Like others in the similar genre of 'America's disastrous outlook of economic inequality,' "Tightrope" is an easier read than most due to the editorial style writing of couple Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Since I finished the book I have read criticism from this community that the book is centered primarily (but not entirely) on a mostly-white town in Oregon, and the stories are mostly about white people. However, I #6 in 2020. **Long review warning**

I was OBSESSED with this book. Like others in the similar genre of 'America's disastrous outlook of economic inequality,' "Tightrope" is an easier read than most due to the editorial style writing of couple Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Since I finished the book I have read criticism from this community that the book is centered primarily (but not entirely) on a mostly-white town in Oregon, and the stories are mostly about white people. However, I think the authors point out early on that the emphasis will be the town and make known the demographics because it was Nicholas' hometown; it's what he knows. That being said, the authors also go on to speak about black families in Arkansas and Washington DC, and and immigrant family in NYC. No book about topics such as economic inequality will be fault-free, but I think that this criticism is unjust.

Now what I LOVED was that many times the authors point out that the main topics discussed: poverty for children, universal healthcare, homelessness for veterans and children, incarceration and recidivism, opioid addiction, and more... boil down to issues that have bipartisan support. At the root of many of these issues are solid educational opportunities for young people, economic opportunity and strong family/community support for those struggling.

Many times these issues become contentious because no one wants to foot the bill, although most people on the left and the right agree that young kids should have access to adequate schooling. And when students have strong support through school and matriculate through the system, along with family or community support, they have a higher rate of graduating high school and staying off of the streets where they might engage in harmful behavior. Focusing on education or a job also reduces the likelihood of beginning drug use out of lack of options. Education on family planning can continue to reduce teenage pregnancy rates which is good for the economy. One of my favorite arguments was that "paying for an abortion" is much less expensive than paying for the birth of an unwanted baby through Medicaid--and then think about the social implications of that baby growing up in an environment where the parent(s) may not be prepared to take on parental responsibility to raise the child.

Yes, this has heavily liberal views. However, I think that it is a great read for my more conservative colleagues and friends as well because it offers specific examples of ways in which past policies of the last 50 years have lead to worse conditions for many Americans, (yes, even blue collared farmers) and gives ideas of ways to reduce inequality and lead to better outcomes. These outcomes include, but are not limited to: a healthier population with access to insurance and preventative care, pre-K programs for all toddlers, reductions in homelessness through programs such as housing vouchers and reductions in incarceration rates and lower recidivism through rehabilitation initiatives. ...more

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Feb 14, 2020 Julia Russ rated it really liked it

My God, this book was depressing AF--But it's an incredibly important book, one that every single American today should read. (Especially leading up to the 2020 election.)

I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but it delivered SO much more than I ever thought it would. Originally, it intrigued me because one of the authors is from a small town in Oregon (as is my husband) and a lot of the stories revolve around the Oregonians living there. The book focuses on a variety of My God, this book was depressing AF--But it's an incredibly important book, one that every single American today should read. (Especially leading up to the 2020 election.)

I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but it delivered SO much more than I ever thought it would. Originally, it intrigued me because one of the authors is from a small town in Oregon (as is my husband) and a lot of the stories revolve around the Oregonians living there. The book focuses on a variety of issues relating to the vicious, cruel cycle of poverty and how Americans get stuck in it--Particularly those living in the poor town of Yamhill--But the narrative really is the same throughout the entire country.

This book hit home for a lot of reasons, which I didn't expect--I was just looking to educate myself more on the topic. But a lot of the stories focus on how Americans that grew up in the 1970's (i.e. my parents) are now disillusioned adults, and how they ended up supporting a man like Donald Trump. If anything, I am thankful to the book for this one point--I feel like it helps me understand my parents a little bit more, even if I do not agree with anything they believe in.

Another point that hit home is how much a person's childhood affects their future. I have family members that were raised in drug filled environments, and it's incredible how different their lives truly are compared to mine and my sisters' lives, having grown up in a drug free household. It's shocking and sad.

Yet another story that really struck home was how much a difference just being encouraged as a child makes--When I met my husband at 18, I had no plan of going to college, which he was completely shocked by. He pushed me to go, even cosigning my student loans when my parents wouldn't, and I cannot imagine how different my life would be without him. I see how easily I could have just not gone to college (what if we had never met that one day?) and how easily I could have become addicted to drugs--It's all over my genetic makeup.

And I think that's the point this book is meant to make--The cycle of poverty can happen to anyone. And millions of Americans are living through it every. single. day. in the richest country in the history of the world. While this issue is incredibly difficult and complex, read this book and educate yourself on the topic of American poverty. You will be a better person for it, I guarantee. ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Holly Allen rated it did not like it

This was a huge disappointment. The book focuses on poverty and inequality and the lack of access to education, healthcare, and other resources in America that are often found free and accessible in other first world countries. The problem is two fold- One is that the book tries too hard to appear moderate or else slightly liberal which means much of the discussion about capitalism and classism is shallow at best. Two is that much of the word choice is so poor it often simply comes off as This was a huge disappointment. The book focuses on poverty and inequality and the lack of access to education, healthcare, and other resources in America that are often found free and accessible in other first world countries. The problem is two fold- One is that the book tries too hard to appear moderate or else slightly liberal which means much of the discussion about capitalism and classism is shallow at best. Two is that much of the word choice is so poor it often simply comes off as offensive or else thoughtless and unpolished. The book quotes people like Woodie Guthrie and James Baldwin for flair without acknowledging their communist or anti-capitalist leanings. In fact, the book does nothing to critique capitalism, simply suggesting taxes be directed toward programs but not critiquing too deeply the economic system that so clearly continues much of the suffering the book aims to tear down. The book in one sentence says that America’s problems have inspired/ brought about support of “extreme” sides like Trump and Bernie Sanders. The book just casually drops this in and while it makes an effort later in to explain how/why Trump and his policies are extreme, it does nothing to explain why Sanders is mentioned not why is an apparent opposite end of the spectrum. This is either ignorance or a weak attempt at appearing centrist but those that read a lot of political theory will know that on a worldwide scale, Sanders doesn’t even register on the far left side of the spectrum. The book also continues the incorrect but often used idea that “America is a democracy” despite the fact that America is a republic and not a pure democracy. These errors built up and annoyed the hell out of me- if you’re well read on political theory it may bother you too. As for word choice- this book uses offensive and outdated terms like “g*psy” and “obese” despite modern Romani activists and fat lib activists making it clear since 10 years back that those terms are associated with discrimination. The book has many other word choice issues beyond these and even, at times, placed commas haphazardly. I had so much hope for this book but it came off as pandering to centrists with no regard for political accuracy or deep investigation. What a disappointment. ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Derek Patz rated it it was amazing

Welcome to America. Land of the free. Home of the brave. That's what they want you to believe. Deep down America has its citizens on a tightrope. Like in the small town of Yamhill. Where we meet families in despair. Drugs and Alcohol seems to be a way out and more money is spent on incarceration then education.

Out of the blue . I chose this as an Add-on for Book of the Month Club. Nicholas Kristof was a name I have never heard of before. Reading this book I thought of my back yard in Wisconsin. ...more

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Jan 22, 2020 Tab rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This is a somewhat incoherent book. It does work as a general survey of poverty in the United States. The authors describe people who suffer from "deaths of despair" in the United States. They particularly focus on a family that Kristof knew while growing up, but they also showcase others like female drug addicts in Tulsa and recent Nigerian immigrant. Throughout the book they advocate for more government intervention.

The first reason I call this book incoherent is because in making their case

The first reason I call this book incoherent is because in making their case for more government help, they ignore or give short shrift to the real differences among the subjects of their book. Take the Nigerian immigrant chess prodigy. While it's true that he was homeless, he also lived with two parents who were very active with their church community. This is a kid with support from all sides, not just the government. This is in contrast to the main family they document in the book, who seemingly have no community, family or governmental support. In fact, the kids were kicked out of school for insubordination. Sadly, the family itself, is described as fairly un-supportive of each other. I'm not sure that government policies can fix lack of community and family support. May they can, but this case is not made in this book.

Another reason I think this book is incoherent, is because what the authors describe as a golden age of American prosperity - 40s through 1960s - was an anomalous period in the United States. The world was recovering from a war that devastated most of Europe and Japan. This advantaged Americans by allowing us more employment opportunities as we helped Europe and Japan get back on their feet. This meant that a poor, illiterate person could realistically rise up; as their wasn't competition from lots of other people. The authors describe this period, but don't point out how much of an outlier period it was. Instead, they call for a return to the government largess of that time.

The final reason I think this book is incoherent, is because their may subjects, the Knapp family, never had it all that good. The family was dysfunctional in the 1970s. The book starts with the father shooting at his beleaguered wife! Sure, the father had a job and they owned some land in the poor area of town, but the father made a sport of shooting his wife! Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I suspect that children aren't going to come out very functional if they are raised by an abusive father, regardless income. I guess with more government aid the Knapp mother might have been able to leave the father and the kids would have turned out better? But I doubt it. So I get it, the dad had a job, big whoop! He was also an asshole who ruined his children's lives.

...more

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Jan 30, 2020 Cathy rated it really liked it

OK, I'm adding this to my list of recommended reading for people who, like me, recognize that they are WAY more advantaged than many in our country. This book, Tightrope, is especially helpful with suggesting solutions, small and large, and with plenty of illuminating statistics. Also, the personal stories of the authors' friends and neighbors in Yamhill County, Oregon remind me that the problems are just as bad here in the Pacific Northwest as elsewhere.

Here's my recommended reading list (so ...more

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About Nicholas D. Kristof

Nicholas D. Kristof

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Nicholas Donabet Kristof is an American journalist, author, op-ed columnist, and a winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. He has written an op-ed column for The New York Times since November 2001 and is widely known for bringing to light human rights abuses in Asia and Africa, such as human trafficking and the Darfur conflict. He has lived on four continents, reported on six, and traveled to 150 countries ...more

Books by Nicholas D. Kristof

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

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“California’s best public elementary schools are in Palo Alto, accessible to anyone who can buy a house in a district where the median home price exceeds $3 million. Next door in East Palo Alto, which is disproportionately poor and minority, children attend inferior schools that lead to an inferior future” — 0 likes

“He calls for a return to social balance through a “morality of grace,” an ethic that relies more on compassion and egalitarianism, less on scolding about personal irresponsibility. The morality of grace arises from the theological concept that everyone can be saved by God’s grace, even the undeserving, the uneducated, the jobless, the addicted and the homeless.” — 0 likes

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Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope

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Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope

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