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Broke in America: Seeing, Understanding, and Ending U.S. Poverty
Water. Food. Housing. The most basic and crucial needs for survival, yet 40 percent of people in the United States don't have the resources to get them. With key policy changes, we could eradicate poverty in this country within our lifetime—but we need to get started now.
Nearly 40 million people in the United States live below the poverty line—about $26,200 for a family of four. Low-income families and individuals are everywhere, from cities to rural communities. While poverty is commonly seen as a personal failure, or a deficiency of character or knowledge, it's actually the result of bad policy.
Public policy has purposefully erected barriers that deny access to basic needs, creating a society where people can easily become trapped—not because we lack the resources to lift them out, but because we are actively choosing not to. Poverty is close to inevitable for low-wage workers and their children, and a large percentage of these people, despite qualifying for it, do not receive government aid.
From Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, Broke in America offers an eye-opening and galvanizing look at life in poverty in this country: how circumstances and public policy conspire to keep people poor, and the concrete steps we can take to end poverty for good.
In clear, accessible prose, Goldblum and Shaddox detail the ways the current system is broken and how it's failing so many of us. They also highlight outdated and ineffective policies that are causing or contributing to this unnecessary problem.
Every chapter features action items readers can use to combat poverty—both nationwide and in our local communities, including the most effective public policies you can support and how to work hand-in-hand with representatives to affect change.
So far, our attempted solutions have fallen short because they try to "fix" poor people rather than address the underlying problems. Fortunately, it's much easier to fix policy than people. Essential and timely, Broke in America offers a crucial road map for securing a brighter future.
Nearly 40 million people in the United States live below the poverty line—about $26,200 for a family of four. Low-income families and individuals are everywhere, from cities to rural communities. While poverty is commonly seen as a personal failure, or a deficiency of character or knowledge, it's actually the result of bad policy.
Public policy has purposefully erected barriers that deny access to basic needs, creating a society where people can easily become trapped—not because we lack the resources to lift them out, but because we are actively choosing not to. Poverty is close to inevitable for low-wage workers and their children, and a large percentage of these people, despite qualifying for it, do not receive government aid.
From Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, Broke in America offers an eye-opening and galvanizing look at life in poverty in this country: how circumstances and public policy conspire to keep people poor, and the concrete steps we can take to end poverty for good.
In clear, accessible prose, Goldblum and Shaddox detail the ways the current system is broken and how it's failing so many of us. They also highlight outdated and ineffective policies that are causing or contributing to this unnecessary problem.
Every chapter features action items readers can use to combat poverty—both nationwide and in our local communities, including the most effective public policies you can support and how to work hand-in-hand with representatives to affect change.
So far, our attempted solutions have fallen short because they try to "fix" poor people rather than address the underlying problems. Fortunately, it's much easier to fix policy than people. Essential and timely, Broke in America offers a crucial road map for securing a brighter future.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2021
162 people are currently reading
4164 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Samuel Goldblum
1 book38 followersJoanne Samuel Goldblum is CEO and founder of the National Diaper Bank Network, encompassing more than 200 member organizations that provide diapers and other basic needs to families across America. In 2018, she founded the Alliance for Period Supplies, which provides free hygiene products to the one in four people for whom menstruation means difficulty attending school and work. Joanne has spent her career working with and advocating for families in poverty. She has written op-eds for Washington Post, US News & World Report, and HuffPost. She has been an ABC Person of the Week and the subject of profiles by CNN, People, and many other outlets. Joanne is an inspiring and in-demand speaker. In 2007, she was chosen as one of 10 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leaders on the basis of her work to found the New Haven Diaper Bank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
March 25, 2021
Finally! A comprehensive breakdown and humanised analysis of poverty that doesn't bounce on MSM talking points and tells the whole story, blowing apart the myths of meritocracy.
It's disturbing to see Australia creeping up on the US in inequality and this book should serve a wake up call/warning to all.
It's disturbing to see Australia creeping up on the US in inequality and this book should serve a wake up call/warning to all.
April 16, 2021
The authors contend that poverty is not typically a failure of character as many people believe. In my experience, I have found many people that are just looking for any loophole to milk the system. I have also met some people who are working really hard to get ahead. I think the real problem is finding a way to enable those who are willing to work and stop helping those who are lazy and believe the system “owes” them.
This book is 260 pages long. The first 137 pages describe what poverty looks like in terms of “Basic Needs” and give very specific examples with a few things “we can do” at the end of each chapter. The next 95 pages are about “Forms of Oppression”. There are exactly 25 pages of “Solutions”.
Although, I didn’t keep notes for the first few chapters, the purpose of the notes is just to tickle my memory as to what was said.
Water
(Water should be a public right; however, too many companies are privatizing it and then charging excessive amounts for something that should be free - or at least we should only pay a reasonable fee to the local water company)
Food
Housing
Utilities: are a huge problem for low income people. Often they are living in rental units that are not energy efficient to start with. For the most part they are not eligible for aid until they are already behind in their bills. The liens put on them don’t ever go away and effect them getting a job, another rental etc.
Public transportation: the people who need public transportation live in the areas that do not have as good a transportation system - because that is all they can afford. The best parts of the transportation system are in the middle of the city - where the poor cannot afford to live.
This book seems to be about the working poor. And their plight is truly a problem. Unfortunately, any laws to help them also help the lazy “can’t be bothered to work” poor and the rich that we should not be helping.
One of the problems I have with the statistics that are racial is the complaint that blacks get more citations than whites. The assumption is that the police are going after the blacks. Couldn’t it be that the police have discovered that when they check, blacks are more liable to be in violation! For purposes of this book, I can believe that is because more blacks are poorer than whites - not that it is a racial bias.
The authors complain about people being late for work - due to transportation problems - being docked for every minute they are late. I am wondering how they suggest remediating this problem? You can’t let them be late every day, but how do you show Compassion without ending up in a situation of “you let so-and-so” be late - why not me? The boss should not have to be put in a position of evaluating every excuse for lateness. And frankly sometimes you MUST be there on time.
Hygiene
Health: upper and middle class Americans understand that their health is dependent on personal behavior - exercise, eat more whole grains, practice daily meditation. However, not all of society “has sufficient time and resources to eat healthfully, live in a safe house and engage in exercise and other stress reducing activities.”
“The US spends more on health care per capita than any other nation, yet we are sicker and die younger than people in other industrialized nations”.
“ Poverty makes the basic needs that support good health difficult, and sometimes impossible to obtain”
“You get sick because you are poor and you get poorer because you are sick” - because your illness does not allow you to work at the only jobs available to you - eg. jobs where you have to stand for long periods of time
Part II: Oppression - not sure why this title... (and not sure why the authors think these situations are oppression)
Racism - stealing homes. Authors claim there are restrictions for most home loans that will not give loans in areas that are not a good risk, i.e. neighborhoods must be able to sustain stability - are occupied by the same racial and social classes. In addition they describe several scams that black people fall victim to, since they can’t get a conventional loan.
Sexism - women’s work. Women heads of households don’t make near the money men do, they are the working poor. The government offers women training only for low paying jobs - like health care - aids, nurses etc. i.e. they offer training for jobs that will keep people in poverty.
Denial of political power
Electoral politics are generally a sport for the wealthy, meaning the eventual office holder can be oblivious to working-class concerns.
This chapter - and the authors attitude - bothers me. The reason the poor steal, sell drugs etc is that they have no other choice. This does NOT make it ok! People who have been incarcerated, still have problems when they get out of jail. They can’t get jobs, live in certain places etc. The laws that cause this to happen were enacted to protect the majority. I think that there have to be ways that we can modify these laws so that once someone proves themself, they can be exempted from them. Maybe we need to spend more money on half way houses that would help people released from jail find housing and a job - and maybe some education (use the word loosely) on how to live on the outside.
Mental Health Discrimination
Is mental illness causing poverty or is poverty causing mental illness? Both.
This chapter concerns itself with the latter
High Poverty Schools
Staying in school is easier said than done. Students come to school with experiences of material deprivation. Or not on time because of flat tires, need to care for younger siblings, chronic illness. The parents recognize that their kids need at least a high school education in order to get out of poverty, but can’t always make it happen. (In Lytle Texas, schools serve as the source of basic needs)
Exclusionary discipline (expulsion, suspension) are not the answer to tardiness, truancy etc. - they just cause kids to lose even more classroom time.
Part III Solutions
Possibilities
“People are poor because the money they have is insufficient to pay for the things they need” - duh!
As is the usual case, a good bit of this book is spent explaining the problem. And/or giving lots of examples. Much less time is spent on solutions. I have had this book out from the library for a long time and cannot renew it. In this possibilities section, the author is suggesting that we find a way to make people’s income reasonable and more stable. Each of the suggestions includes people being given money outright. I do not currently have the time to seriously evaluate these suggestions. The author suggests that we actually do have the money to do this - by not spending it on defense or not needing some of the programs currently in place that would not be needed. She believes that while we would see what looks like a decrease in the number of people working, it would rathe be a delay in working - kids would finish high school, maybe go on to college. Mothers would stay home and take care of their babies. All would go back to work at what would be the appropriate time for them. (Something the middle class and up take for granted)
Advocacy
One of the authors, Joanne, was originally a social worker. Through her work she began to realize how difficult it is for the poor to get diapers. The result is a cascade of problems: no diapers, can’t leave the child at childcare; can’t leave the child, can’t get additional training for a better job (or be able to go to a job); no training, stuck in the same dead end, low paying job - stuck being poor. Joanne began a diaper bank in her own town, hooking up with the other non-profits working with the poor in her area. She eventually ended up setting up a National Diaper Bank Network.
The authors suggest an 8 step process for each of us to begin to make a difference in this world. The steps are easy to understand yet not as easy to implement.
The ideas at the end of each chapter are very concrete, yet mostly political.
I feel like I have a better understanding of what it is like to be poor. We definitely need to help the working poor. I am not convinced that there isn’t a subset of the poor that are just out for a handout. Still a lot of questions as to handle all of this.
This book is 260 pages long. The first 137 pages describe what poverty looks like in terms of “Basic Needs” and give very specific examples with a few things “we can do” at the end of each chapter. The next 95 pages are about “Forms of Oppression”. There are exactly 25 pages of “Solutions”.
Although, I didn’t keep notes for the first few chapters, the purpose of the notes is just to tickle my memory as to what was said.
Water
(Water should be a public right; however, too many companies are privatizing it and then charging excessive amounts for something that should be free - or at least we should only pay a reasonable fee to the local water company)
Food
Housing
Utilities: are a huge problem for low income people. Often they are living in rental units that are not energy efficient to start with. For the most part they are not eligible for aid until they are already behind in their bills. The liens put on them don’t ever go away and effect them getting a job, another rental etc.
Public transportation: the people who need public transportation live in the areas that do not have as good a transportation system - because that is all they can afford. The best parts of the transportation system are in the middle of the city - where the poor cannot afford to live.
This book seems to be about the working poor. And their plight is truly a problem. Unfortunately, any laws to help them also help the lazy “can’t be bothered to work” poor and the rich that we should not be helping.
One of the problems I have with the statistics that are racial is the complaint that blacks get more citations than whites. The assumption is that the police are going after the blacks. Couldn’t it be that the police have discovered that when they check, blacks are more liable to be in violation! For purposes of this book, I can believe that is because more blacks are poorer than whites - not that it is a racial bias.
The authors complain about people being late for work - due to transportation problems - being docked for every minute they are late. I am wondering how they suggest remediating this problem? You can’t let them be late every day, but how do you show Compassion without ending up in a situation of “you let so-and-so” be late - why not me? The boss should not have to be put in a position of evaluating every excuse for lateness. And frankly sometimes you MUST be there on time.
Hygiene
Health: upper and middle class Americans understand that their health is dependent on personal behavior - exercise, eat more whole grains, practice daily meditation. However, not all of society “has sufficient time and resources to eat healthfully, live in a safe house and engage in exercise and other stress reducing activities.”
“The US spends more on health care per capita than any other nation, yet we are sicker and die younger than people in other industrialized nations”.
“ Poverty makes the basic needs that support good health difficult, and sometimes impossible to obtain”
“You get sick because you are poor and you get poorer because you are sick” - because your illness does not allow you to work at the only jobs available to you - eg. jobs where you have to stand for long periods of time
Part II: Oppression - not sure why this title... (and not sure why the authors think these situations are oppression)
Racism - stealing homes. Authors claim there are restrictions for most home loans that will not give loans in areas that are not a good risk, i.e. neighborhoods must be able to sustain stability - are occupied by the same racial and social classes. In addition they describe several scams that black people fall victim to, since they can’t get a conventional loan.
Sexism - women’s work. Women heads of households don’t make near the money men do, they are the working poor. The government offers women training only for low paying jobs - like health care - aids, nurses etc. i.e. they offer training for jobs that will keep people in poverty.
Denial of political power
Electoral politics are generally a sport for the wealthy, meaning the eventual office holder can be oblivious to working-class concerns.
This chapter - and the authors attitude - bothers me. The reason the poor steal, sell drugs etc is that they have no other choice. This does NOT make it ok! People who have been incarcerated, still have problems when they get out of jail. They can’t get jobs, live in certain places etc. The laws that cause this to happen were enacted to protect the majority. I think that there have to be ways that we can modify these laws so that once someone proves themself, they can be exempted from them. Maybe we need to spend more money on half way houses that would help people released from jail find housing and a job - and maybe some education (use the word loosely) on how to live on the outside.
Mental Health Discrimination
Is mental illness causing poverty or is poverty causing mental illness? Both.
This chapter concerns itself with the latter
High Poverty Schools
Staying in school is easier said than done. Students come to school with experiences of material deprivation. Or not on time because of flat tires, need to care for younger siblings, chronic illness. The parents recognize that their kids need at least a high school education in order to get out of poverty, but can’t always make it happen. (In Lytle Texas, schools serve as the source of basic needs)
Exclusionary discipline (expulsion, suspension) are not the answer to tardiness, truancy etc. - they just cause kids to lose even more classroom time.
Part III Solutions
Possibilities
“People are poor because the money they have is insufficient to pay for the things they need” - duh!
As is the usual case, a good bit of this book is spent explaining the problem. And/or giving lots of examples. Much less time is spent on solutions. I have had this book out from the library for a long time and cannot renew it. In this possibilities section, the author is suggesting that we find a way to make people’s income reasonable and more stable. Each of the suggestions includes people being given money outright. I do not currently have the time to seriously evaluate these suggestions. The author suggests that we actually do have the money to do this - by not spending it on defense or not needing some of the programs currently in place that would not be needed. She believes that while we would see what looks like a decrease in the number of people working, it would rathe be a delay in working - kids would finish high school, maybe go on to college. Mothers would stay home and take care of their babies. All would go back to work at what would be the appropriate time for them. (Something the middle class and up take for granted)
Advocacy
One of the authors, Joanne, was originally a social worker. Through her work she began to realize how difficult it is for the poor to get diapers. The result is a cascade of problems: no diapers, can’t leave the child at childcare; can’t leave the child, can’t get additional training for a better job (or be able to go to a job); no training, stuck in the same dead end, low paying job - stuck being poor. Joanne began a diaper bank in her own town, hooking up with the other non-profits working with the poor in her area. She eventually ended up setting up a National Diaper Bank Network.
The authors suggest an 8 step process for each of us to begin to make a difference in this world. The steps are easy to understand yet not as easy to implement.
The ideas at the end of each chapter are very concrete, yet mostly political.
I feel like I have a better understanding of what it is like to be poor. We definitely need to help the working poor. I am not convinced that there isn’t a subset of the poor that are just out for a handout. Still a lot of questions as to handle all of this.
November 20, 2020
I know, I know. This is just another book about inequality and brokenness in America, right? Wrong. Yes, we do see recurring themes and points as in other books like American Bootstraps and $2 a Day, but we have more information from the professionals and activists who lived the struggle and are trying to help others, or people who keep trying to claw their way out of the gigantic pit that the obvious (and not so obvious) moves by corporations, politicians, and voters have put them in. We also have clear, actionable items at the end of each topic. And they’re not difficult items, so you don’t have to already be in a position to make massive changes. This book shows that the small steps by individuals can make all the difference, especially if enough individuals speak up or engage.
I especially liked how this book went into the sub-prime car loan scam. I’ve long since known about the practices of these Ugly Duckling (or Drive Time now) type of dealerships that churn out cars with serious problems, collect some payments, repossess the car or leave the customer paying on a car they no longer have due to massive engine failure, resell if repo’d, repeat. The problem is that when someone can’t qualify for a loan from anywhere else, they’re stuck. Just like with renting subpar housing. Or working multiple low-wage jobs to try to get by. It’s a vicious cycle and this books perfectly lays out how it starts, how to break it, and just how difficult it is to break it, even temporarily.
While I realize that some may not want to read this because “it’s depressing”, I thinks it’s a must-read because of that. It’s reality for so many Americans and we need to remember that this country is failing such a large portion of its people that something needs to be done. And again, it doesn’t always have to be something huge. Just small actions or deeds could make all the difference for the neighbor you didn’t know is struggling to feed their children or the community you drive past and ignore on the way to Whole Foods.
I especially liked how this book went into the sub-prime car loan scam. I’ve long since known about the practices of these Ugly Duckling (or Drive Time now) type of dealerships that churn out cars with serious problems, collect some payments, repossess the car or leave the customer paying on a car they no longer have due to massive engine failure, resell if repo’d, repeat. The problem is that when someone can’t qualify for a loan from anywhere else, they’re stuck. Just like with renting subpar housing. Or working multiple low-wage jobs to try to get by. It’s a vicious cycle and this books perfectly lays out how it starts, how to break it, and just how difficult it is to break it, even temporarily.
While I realize that some may not want to read this because “it’s depressing”, I thinks it’s a must-read because of that. It’s reality for so many Americans and we need to remember that this country is failing such a large portion of its people that something needs to be done. And again, it doesn’t always have to be something huge. Just small actions or deeds could make all the difference for the neighbor you didn’t know is struggling to feed their children or the community you drive past and ignore on the way to Whole Foods.
August 4, 2025
Did a great job giving an overview of each social determinant of health without going too deeply into one topic. Loved the vignettes on specific people interviewed. Also loved the aspects of Skid Row they touched on, outside of the highly publicized commentaries on drug use and mental health crises. There were so many contributions to poverty I learned from this book that I had never given a second thought; how diapers are directly connected to poverty and depression in mothers, the math involved with developing affordable housing units, and how everyone saying "raising the minimum wage just causes inflation" is lying.
September 17, 2022
1-10 Takeaways:
1) "Historically, the United States has approached poverty as a lack of knowledge; or, perhaps of character and ambition, when in fact it stems from a lack of resources." American's attitudes began to take a turn for the worse (especially conservatives) when Raegan started using terms like "Welfare Queens" to describe poor black women. Goldblum and Shaddox highlight how American policy needs to change so that the poor in America have the appropriate "footholds." Specifically, G&S highlight water, food, housing, utilities, public transportation, hygiene, health, racism and sexism.
2) Shockingly, 2 million Americans live without access to safe drinking water. This is due to a failing infrastructure. America's rapidly failing infrastructure is going to cost trillions and trillions of dollars. Additionally, America allows too many private companies to own water supplies resulting in excessive fees. Water should be a public good.
3) 1 in 6 American kids are food insecure. Cognitive capabilities plummet when you are hungry/anxious about where your next meal will come from. Hard to imagine 1 in 6 kids going to school and trying to learn with that level of distraction.
4) America's subpar public transportation system punishes the poor. When you are poor and don't have access to transportation, you make worse financial decisions (shopping at the corner store rather than a market), languish from limited employment opportunities and operate in a limited scope of human experience (hobbies, recreation, etc.).
5) Americans spend the most on healthcare while ranking 11th in the world as far as quality. And, when you summate all the different types of taxes and healthcare premiums, Americans have more of their paychecks garnished than Canadians, Brits, etc. This is a real bummer seeing how one third of American healthcare costs goes to administration (not to mention advertising where healthcare companies do weird things like buy the naming rights to stadiums). Because of healthcare costs, more than half of Americans admit to putting off going to the doctor until their symptoms force them to. 1 in 3 GoFundMe campaigns are now for healthcare.
1-10 Questions:
1) NA
1) "Historically, the United States has approached poverty as a lack of knowledge; or, perhaps of character and ambition, when in fact it stems from a lack of resources." American's attitudes began to take a turn for the worse (especially conservatives) when Raegan started using terms like "Welfare Queens" to describe poor black women. Goldblum and Shaddox highlight how American policy needs to change so that the poor in America have the appropriate "footholds." Specifically, G&S highlight water, food, housing, utilities, public transportation, hygiene, health, racism and sexism.
2) Shockingly, 2 million Americans live without access to safe drinking water. This is due to a failing infrastructure. America's rapidly failing infrastructure is going to cost trillions and trillions of dollars. Additionally, America allows too many private companies to own water supplies resulting in excessive fees. Water should be a public good.
3) 1 in 6 American kids are food insecure. Cognitive capabilities plummet when you are hungry/anxious about where your next meal will come from. Hard to imagine 1 in 6 kids going to school and trying to learn with that level of distraction.
4) America's subpar public transportation system punishes the poor. When you are poor and don't have access to transportation, you make worse financial decisions (shopping at the corner store rather than a market), languish from limited employment opportunities and operate in a limited scope of human experience (hobbies, recreation, etc.).
5) Americans spend the most on healthcare while ranking 11th in the world as far as quality. And, when you summate all the different types of taxes and healthcare premiums, Americans have more of their paychecks garnished than Canadians, Brits, etc. This is a real bummer seeing how one third of American healthcare costs goes to administration (not to mention advertising where healthcare companies do weird things like buy the naming rights to stadiums). Because of healthcare costs, more than half of Americans admit to putting off going to the doctor until their symptoms force them to. 1 in 3 GoFundMe campaigns are now for healthcare.
1-10 Questions:
1) NA
February 25, 2021
This is an easy-to-read but thorough and eye-opening book. It addresses both the breadth and the depth of poverty in the US. It shows how intractable generational poverty is—how many Americans are denied even the most basic necessities, like clean water, which makes it impossible to create a better life. A must-read for all Americans.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 6, 2021
Thank you to the authors, BenBella Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fantastic, albeit horrifying and maddening read. Even for those only minimally aware of the issues of economic inequality, it's obvious that way too many people are living paycheck to paycheck, or subsisting well below the poverty level, in the self-proclaimed "greatest country on earth". The framework used by the authors is very effective, pinpointing the issues first in terms of basic needs, then in the forms of oppression. Interwoven with individual glimpses into the lives of people impacted by the situation is the background and history of how this came about. The genius element is that clear, actionable items are included at the end of each topic. These are not difficult things, and the book shows how small steps by individuals can make a huge difference - very encouraging to find ways for each of us to engage.
This is a must-read, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!
This is a fantastic, albeit horrifying and maddening read. Even for those only minimally aware of the issues of economic inequality, it's obvious that way too many people are living paycheck to paycheck, or subsisting well below the poverty level, in the self-proclaimed "greatest country on earth". The framework used by the authors is very effective, pinpointing the issues first in terms of basic needs, then in the forms of oppression. Interwoven with individual glimpses into the lives of people impacted by the situation is the background and history of how this came about. The genius element is that clear, actionable items are included at the end of each topic. These are not difficult things, and the book shows how small steps by individuals can make a huge difference - very encouraging to find ways for each of us to engage.
This is a must-read, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!
December 30, 2020
5 stars
Broke in America
Joanne Samuel Goldblum; Colleen Shaddox
This book is both enlightening and maddening. How a country like America has these problems is beyond me. I really feel this book needs to be mandatory reading in all schools, perhaps even all politicians should read it so they would truly know what it is like to live in poverty. More people need to realize the true effects of deprivation and the real-life complications which occur due to living in a constant state of desperate need and stress.
Goldblum and Shaddox have done a remarkable job of showcasing the day-to-day lives of Americans who live on the edge of homelessness and even those that have drifted into it. Far too many people are one missed paycheck from catastrophe. How is this even possible in this country? This is going to be one of the most important books of 2021.
I so highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
Broke in America
Joanne Samuel Goldblum; Colleen Shaddox
This book is both enlightening and maddening. How a country like America has these problems is beyond me. I really feel this book needs to be mandatory reading in all schools, perhaps even all politicians should read it so they would truly know what it is like to live in poverty. More people need to realize the true effects of deprivation and the real-life complications which occur due to living in a constant state of desperate need and stress.
Goldblum and Shaddox have done a remarkable job of showcasing the day-to-day lives of Americans who live on the edge of homelessness and even those that have drifted into it. Far too many people are one missed paycheck from catastrophe. How is this even possible in this country? This is going to be one of the most important books of 2021.
I so highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
November 9, 2020
This book is so different from other poverty finance books out there. I have read my fair share of them, and this book is far and away better. At the end of each chapter the authors describe actionable steps that an average person can take to help the poor, those in poverty, and those that are struggling.
I loved that. It really made me start to think about ways in which I could do something in my community.
I love the research and the time and the care that went into this book.
Its well researched and has a great flow.
One of the best books on poverty and finance that I have read in a long time.
I loved that. It really made me start to think about ways in which I could do something in my community.
I love the research and the time and the care that went into this book.
Its well researched and has a great flow.
One of the best books on poverty and finance that I have read in a long time.
February 11, 2021
I worried that this book would be too "academic" and hard to follow or understand. It is none of these things. Broke in America is exceptional - well written, well organized, and easily understood even though the topic can be complex. The authors take the mystery out of poverty, and share specific examples of how policies formed around water, energy, and housing are cyclical. I also appreciated that at the end of each chapter they present attainable action steps. The amount of care and research that went into Broke in America is apparent throughout the book. Without even needing to be "political", it is an important book at an important time.
December 7, 2020
I really liked this! The review copy had some issues with formatting, I think, but careful reading could follow the thread of argument--and it was very well done! I like how the authors investigated the many ways poverty affects us all, especially children, and then even included tips on things to do and how to get involved. Important book!
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this review copy!
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this review copy!
December 22, 2021
I became aware of this book through my work on the board of a local non-profit, The Kindness Closet. The number of Americans living in hygiene poverty--having to skimp on basic personal hygiene products, going without, or foregoing rent payments for hygiene items--is staggering. I've long said that capitalism presupposes a bottom. We as a nation need to grapple with where we are comfortable with that bottom being, and the current situation where working Americans can't afford rent and utilities and hygiene products doesn't seem like the right balance. This is a series of policy decisions, not personal failures that brought us here--and can get us out of them. If you're a full disciple of the "by your own bootstraps" in this land of opportunity narrative, I'd especially encourage you to read this book. In the meantime, I plan to work towards eliminating the tax on feminine hygiene products. At least it's a start.
August 14, 2021
This book does exactly what the second part of the title says: you see all the ways poverty affects people, from housing to healthcare to water and food and hygiene; you understand why poverty in America is a choice, and how policies could change things (and in ways that actually save money). And you get a playbook for making positive change, informed by the experience of co-author Joanne Samuel Goldblum, who founded the National Diaper Bank Network after she saw a need and acted to meet it. Read it and get your local, state and national leaders to check it out.
April 28, 2021
Great and comprehensive breakdown of the myriad of reasons why many Americans are living in poverty (spoiler alert: it’s not because they’re lazy). What I really appreciate about this book is that at the end of every chapter, the authors provide ways to take direct action to combat that specific piece of poverty.
January 19, 2024
This book was eye-opening in so many ways. It was the perfect blend of real stories, data and statistics, history/policy, and actionable steps. The writing style was direct, confident, and easy to understand.
It was honest. It was painful. And it was hopeful.
If you are someone who has never experienced poverty, it is a must read. You will learn so much which you will never be able to unsee.
It was honest. It was painful. And it was hopeful.
If you are someone who has never experienced poverty, it is a must read. You will learn so much which you will never be able to unsee.
November 15, 2025
Advocacy on policy driven roots of poverty
Broke is America shines a light on and does a good job at humanizing poverty in America, where it lacks is offering the full spectrum of causes beyond failures in policy, such as education gaps, financial education, economic gaps, and cultural variables.
Broke is America shines a light on and does a good job at humanizing poverty in America, where it lacks is offering the full spectrum of causes beyond failures in policy, such as education gaps, financial education, economic gaps, and cultural variables.
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February 21, 2025This was great. A digestible, comprehensive look at poverty in the US, with anecdotes and policy implications. I also really appreciated how solutions-based it was. Most books like this just leave you with the doom and gloom, but Broke in America had solutions for each dimension of poverty. It also had individual action you could take today.
July 29, 2024
Very informative and easily understood, and provides actionable steps to take to help try and fix these issues.
August 4, 2025
Had to read this for school. Love the actionable steps after every chapter!!
April 5, 2022
This book was helpful in shaping how I view poverty. It’s discussed the many issues of poverty in America, how that affects citizens, their careers, and their quality of life, as well as provide attainable things I personally can do to help. Americans view poverty so wrong and this book was very enlightening.
July 3, 2023
Good primer on economic suffering in the US. Was most impressed that the authors covered hygiene, a totally ignored aspect of American poverty. I do wish some of their policy recommendations were stronger – I know this stuff is tricky, but it's just not very inspiring to see "What can I do?" followed by advice like "Ride public transportation."
June 24, 2022
Broke in America: Seeing, Understanding, and Ending US Poverty by Joanne Samuel Goldblum, Colleen Shaddox, and Bomani Jones
“Broke in America” is an excellent book that examines poverty and what we can do as citizens to combat it. The authors provide readers with keen insights on what causes poverty. It examines why the current system is broken and provides attainable solutions. This thought-provoking 320-page book includes fifteen chapters broken out into the following three parts: 1. Basic Needs, 2. Forms of Oppression, and 3. Solutions.
Positives:
1. A well-written, well-researched book. It’s accessible and easy to read while providing valuable information to the reader.
2. Excellent topic, American poverty.
3. Great format. The book is logically broken out into three parts and each chapter examines a specific issue and finalizes by a helpful What Can I Do segment.
4. Excellent use of charts and graphs to complement the narrative.
5. Clearly defines poverty. “In contrast, this book follows a simpler definition: poverty is when a person cannot afford to meet basic needs.”
6. Thought provoking statements. “Solutions fall short because they often try to “fix” people in poverty rather than eliminate poverty itself.”
7. Facts provided throughout. “In fact, most Americans in poverty are white: more than 18 million individuals according to census data, while 11 million Hispanics and 8.6 million African Americans are in poverty as well.”
8. Water issues. “The national failure to maintain infrastructure is a poverty issue, because public infrastructure equalizes opportunity and creates a minimum quality of life standard.”
9. Examines issues related to obesity. “Furthermore, high-calorie, low-nutrition food is typically much cheaper than healthier options.”
10. Housing issues. “Poor access to housing makes people stay in places that are not healthy. It also makes them stay with people who are abusive.”
11. Health issues. “The United States spends $9,536 per capita on health care---more than double what the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan do. Yet our residents have shorter lives that are more diminished by illness than people in other rich countries.”
12. Examines forms of oppression. Racism. “Throughout the United States, law, custom, and criminal intimidation conspired to keep African Americans from owning land during the Reconstruction era.”
13. Examines sexism. “Research consistently shows that women and minorities experience layoffs at higher rates than white men in a variety of industries.”
14. Examines denial of political power. “Government in the United States is more likely to take rights away from low-income people than to protect their rights.”
15. Examines mental health discrimination. “There is a great deal of research that demonstrates the chronic and toxic stress that is brought on by poverty is associated with higher rates of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.”
16. Examines the impact of poverty on education. “Students in poverty are less likely to go to college than their wealthier peers---but even those who go are less likely to finish.”
17. Does an excellent job of providing solutions. “There are two ways to start dismantling those systems: increase the amount of money people have or decrease the price of the things they need.”
18. Provides policies to help eliminate poverty. “A guaranteed minimum income provides a supplement to bring what a family makes up to the level of what they need---or at least closer to it.”
19. Eights steps to change the world. “2. Work directly with people in poverty.”
20. Notes included.
Negatives:
1. No formal bibliography.
2. Some sections lack depth.
In summary, an excellent book that address the main issues concerning poverty in an accessible manner. I commend the authors for their excellent research and for providing policy ideas that would help eliminate poverty. A difficult topic handled with professionalism. I highly recommend it!
Further recommendations: “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Mathew Desmond “American Hunger” by Eli Saslow, “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander, “Slavery by Another Name“ by Douglas A. Blackmon, “$2.00 a Day” by Kathryn J. Edin, “Not a Crime to be Poor” by Peter Edelman, “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich, “The Working Poor” by David K. Shipler, “Nomadland” by Jessica Bruder, and “Poverty in America” by John Iceland.
“Broke in America” is an excellent book that examines poverty and what we can do as citizens to combat it. The authors provide readers with keen insights on what causes poverty. It examines why the current system is broken and provides attainable solutions. This thought-provoking 320-page book includes fifteen chapters broken out into the following three parts: 1. Basic Needs, 2. Forms of Oppression, and 3. Solutions.
Positives:
1. A well-written, well-researched book. It’s accessible and easy to read while providing valuable information to the reader.
2. Excellent topic, American poverty.
3. Great format. The book is logically broken out into three parts and each chapter examines a specific issue and finalizes by a helpful What Can I Do segment.
4. Excellent use of charts and graphs to complement the narrative.
5. Clearly defines poverty. “In contrast, this book follows a simpler definition: poverty is when a person cannot afford to meet basic needs.”
6. Thought provoking statements. “Solutions fall short because they often try to “fix” people in poverty rather than eliminate poverty itself.”
7. Facts provided throughout. “In fact, most Americans in poverty are white: more than 18 million individuals according to census data, while 11 million Hispanics and 8.6 million African Americans are in poverty as well.”
8. Water issues. “The national failure to maintain infrastructure is a poverty issue, because public infrastructure equalizes opportunity and creates a minimum quality of life standard.”
9. Examines issues related to obesity. “Furthermore, high-calorie, low-nutrition food is typically much cheaper than healthier options.”
10. Housing issues. “Poor access to housing makes people stay in places that are not healthy. It also makes them stay with people who are abusive.”
11. Health issues. “The United States spends $9,536 per capita on health care---more than double what the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan do. Yet our residents have shorter lives that are more diminished by illness than people in other rich countries.”
12. Examines forms of oppression. Racism. “Throughout the United States, law, custom, and criminal intimidation conspired to keep African Americans from owning land during the Reconstruction era.”
13. Examines sexism. “Research consistently shows that women and minorities experience layoffs at higher rates than white men in a variety of industries.”
14. Examines denial of political power. “Government in the United States is more likely to take rights away from low-income people than to protect their rights.”
15. Examines mental health discrimination. “There is a great deal of research that demonstrates the chronic and toxic stress that is brought on by poverty is associated with higher rates of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.”
16. Examines the impact of poverty on education. “Students in poverty are less likely to go to college than their wealthier peers---but even those who go are less likely to finish.”
17. Does an excellent job of providing solutions. “There are two ways to start dismantling those systems: increase the amount of money people have or decrease the price of the things they need.”
18. Provides policies to help eliminate poverty. “A guaranteed minimum income provides a supplement to bring what a family makes up to the level of what they need---or at least closer to it.”
19. Eights steps to change the world. “2. Work directly with people in poverty.”
20. Notes included.
Negatives:
1. No formal bibliography.
2. Some sections lack depth.
In summary, an excellent book that address the main issues concerning poverty in an accessible manner. I commend the authors for their excellent research and for providing policy ideas that would help eliminate poverty. A difficult topic handled with professionalism. I highly recommend it!
Further recommendations: “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Mathew Desmond “American Hunger” by Eli Saslow, “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander, “Slavery by Another Name“ by Douglas A. Blackmon, “$2.00 a Day” by Kathryn J. Edin, “Not a Crime to be Poor” by Peter Edelman, “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich, “The Working Poor” by David K. Shipler, “Nomadland” by Jessica Bruder, and “Poverty in America” by John Iceland.
March 15, 2021
It was a good read.
March 10, 2021
This book is full of great resources and information. Everyone should read this, and find out how we can help.
February 1, 2021
Let me start by saying SHOCKING!
As someone who is "Broke in America", I was completely unaware of the many issues keeping many more than half Americans unable to provide readily for basic needs in order to live comfortable lives.
This book was well researched and included many of the resources and studies used to find the downfall in the American system. I am extremely saddened that we as a country are not fighting to take care of each other and fighting to create better income and resources that we all need to survive.
This is definitely a MUST READ!
* There were many times while reading the formatting was wonky but I was able to get through it. I will say, however, MANY proper nouns and the beginning of many sentences were not capitalized and that drove me crazy. Also, several times where names were listed last name the lower case first name. I hope they fix this prior to release!
As someone who is "Broke in America", I was completely unaware of the many issues keeping many more than half Americans unable to provide readily for basic needs in order to live comfortable lives.
This book was well researched and included many of the resources and studies used to find the downfall in the American system. I am extremely saddened that we as a country are not fighting to take care of each other and fighting to create better income and resources that we all need to survive.
This is definitely a MUST READ!
* There were many times while reading the formatting was wonky but I was able to get through it. I will say, however, MANY proper nouns and the beginning of many sentences were not capitalized and that drove me crazy. Also, several times where names were listed last name the lower case first name. I hope they fix this prior to release!
December 16, 2020
This book is to poverty what White Fragility is to racism. In the same way I believe every white person needs to read White Fragility, every non-poor person needs to read Broke In America.
It is so easy for us to lay back on our couches and say that if poor people just got a job and applied themselves, they wouldn’t be poor. The average person doesn’t realize all that we take for granted in not being poor.
This book does an incredible job of explaining the challenges of poverty and how our system is designed to make life more difficult for the impoverished. Even more, each chapter gives suggestions of what you can do to be proactive.
It is a must read. In fact, I just bought it for three people.
#netgalley #brokeinamerica
It is so easy for us to lay back on our couches and say that if poor people just got a job and applied themselves, they wouldn’t be poor. The average person doesn’t realize all that we take for granted in not being poor.
This book does an incredible job of explaining the challenges of poverty and how our system is designed to make life more difficult for the impoverished. Even more, each chapter gives suggestions of what you can do to be proactive.
It is a must read. In fact, I just bought it for three people.
#netgalley #brokeinamerica
January 1, 2021
"Broke in America" by Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox is what I would call a 101 course on poverty in America. The book provides a really great overview of how poverty exists in America from diaper and feminine hygiene insecurity to housing and food insecurity. The authors provide readers with some astoundingly sad facts about how low wages, a limited social safety net, poor policies, racism and other factors keep people in America poor. Each section of the book could really be its own book. This is an important read for the new year, especially as we see inequality grow as a result of Covid.
February 1, 2021
*Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC*
A good broad overview of poverty in America. At times so broad that it felt a little unfocused. But all the info about the physical and mental health impacts of the stress of living in poverty, especially on children, was really important and something that should be more widely known and discussed. And the personal accounts and the lists of actions people can take at the end of each chapter were great.
A good broad overview of poverty in America. At times so broad that it felt a little unfocused. But all the info about the physical and mental health impacts of the stress of living in poverty, especially on children, was really important and something that should be more widely known and discussed. And the personal accounts and the lists of actions people can take at the end of each chapter were great.
February 12, 2021
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
This emphasized how horrific poverty is in the USA. We have a lot of work to do.
This emphasized how horrific poverty is in the USA. We have a lot of work to do.
March 1, 2021
The book overpromises and underdelivers ... the recent book "American Poison" does a much better job of framing why so many people in the US are poor (though the book's main bone to pick is "racism"); and 2016's "2 dollars a day: living on almost nothing in America" is simply a better book on the same subject ... just sayin'
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