What do you think?
Rate this book
48: An Experiential Memoir on Homelessness
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs, a licensed marriage and family therapist who is an advocate for the homeless, was alarmed by the growing problem of homelessness in his Las Vegas community.
On his daily route to and from work, he'd see scores of homeless individuals camped out on sidewalks. Despite his regular efforts to provide hygiene kits, water, and sometimes food to those in need, he still felt a strong sense of hopelessness. He wanted to do something that would be impactful, but he did not know what that would entail.
One day, he crossed paths with a homeless woman at the gym and was inspired to pursue a radical plan: He would go undercover as a homeless man for forty-eight hours.
His wife thought he was crazy and was concerned for his safety, but he courageously pushed forward.
Join the author as he reveals what he learned begging for money in the desert while trying to raise awareness of homelessness.
On his daily route to and from work, he'd see scores of homeless individuals camped out on sidewalks. Despite his regular efforts to provide hygiene kits, water, and sometimes food to those in need, he still felt a strong sense of hopelessness. He wanted to do something that would be impactful, but he did not know what that would entail.
One day, he crossed paths with a homeless woman at the gym and was inspired to pursue a radical plan: He would go undercover as a homeless man for forty-eight hours.
His wife thought he was crazy and was concerned for his safety, but he courageously pushed forward.
Join the author as he reveals what he learned begging for money in the desert while trying to raise awareness of homelessness.
- GenresNonfiction
138 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 20, 2022
Obvious that the author just wanted to write a book in the name of some hollow spiritual quest. He is overly dramatic about his 48 hours on the street like he’s never left the comfort of a down bed. Most of the story are quotes that are obviously not direct quotes unless he carried around a tape recorder and didn’t mention that. He did have a photographer to capture him acting homeless though. The whole story is bad journalism and you can do way more for those without homes than profit off a hollow book.
December 18, 2020
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs enlightens readers to the every day realities the homeless population faces in America. Each day is a test of survival under the blistering hot Las Vegas sun. Sheldon’s experience, vivid storytelling and introspective curiosity takes you on an empathetic journey. His story leaves you feeling inspired to be a more compassionate human being, to spread kindness and to acknowledge the seen and unseen suffering of people you encounter living on the streets. Through his 48 hours of living homeless he transcends through social barriers to live in the life of others & share their individual stories. It’s a heartwarming and heartbreaking book in which you feel like you are right along side him, experiencing his internal consciousness and thought process of it all.
It is an intimate, emotional, extraordinary, and inspirational book that will change your heart forever. It opens your eyes to a world most have been privileged to never walk in.
His words ignite your imagination to see through the world with a new perspective.
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs demonstrates the humanity that exists within all of us and allows us to see that we are all one. And that every human being deserves the right to a fulfilling life & the pursuit of happiness.
Sheldon encourages a call to action and to invest more into mental health services for the homeless population. The complex, multifaceted issue can feel quite daunting to tackle, but with collective efforts and individual experiences like Sheldon’s that bring awareness, problems like this can be solved. His book leads me to ponder how COVID-19 has affected the homeless population in drastic ways and how homelessness is increasing because of COVID.
I just couldn’t put the book down and stayed up till 5am the night I started reading it. It inspired me to have more conversations with people who experience homelessness and to volunteer in my local community. It left me hopeful for the future where homelessness isn’t a problem anymore and a future filled with more compassion.
It is an intimate, emotional, extraordinary, and inspirational book that will change your heart forever. It opens your eyes to a world most have been privileged to never walk in.
His words ignite your imagination to see through the world with a new perspective.
Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs demonstrates the humanity that exists within all of us and allows us to see that we are all one. And that every human being deserves the right to a fulfilling life & the pursuit of happiness.
Sheldon encourages a call to action and to invest more into mental health services for the homeless population. The complex, multifaceted issue can feel quite daunting to tackle, but with collective efforts and individual experiences like Sheldon’s that bring awareness, problems like this can be solved. His book leads me to ponder how COVID-19 has affected the homeless population in drastic ways and how homelessness is increasing because of COVID.
I just couldn’t put the book down and stayed up till 5am the night I started reading it. It inspired me to have more conversations with people who experience homelessness and to volunteer in my local community. It left me hopeful for the future where homelessness isn’t a problem anymore and a future filled with more compassion.
November 4, 2021
Driven by a need to do more than hand out food, Jacobs decided to spend 48 hours on the streets of Las Vegas, to learn more about being homeless.
It was a tough 48 hours. He left everything behind except a bag with a few items in it. No phone, no way to contact his wife. He settled on joining the downtown homeless, near the Fremont Experience, but found himself walking a lot, looking for shade, looking for places to sit for a bit.
He encountered security guys who told him to move on as well as other homeless persons who shared what they had with him. He found a large utility box that provided a place to sleep, but sleep was hard to get. It wasn't long before his lips were cracked from the heat and lack of water (he did get water; just not enough). He found cockroaches when he rested, and soon found his body odor matched those near him.
Jacobs was able to have conversations with a few of the homeless, to learn a bit about them and to learn from them how to survive on the streets. But it was quickly apparent that even a short amount of time took a huge toll. How did people come back from this?
Jacobs offers no solutions but is described as an advocate for the homeless on the cover. His hope with this book is to spread awareness of the need for compassion. In spite of the writing being just average, he manages to convey a sense of the experience that will last in my memory.
It was a tough 48 hours. He left everything behind except a bag with a few items in it. No phone, no way to contact his wife. He settled on joining the downtown homeless, near the Fremont Experience, but found himself walking a lot, looking for shade, looking for places to sit for a bit.
He encountered security guys who told him to move on as well as other homeless persons who shared what they had with him. He found a large utility box that provided a place to sleep, but sleep was hard to get. It wasn't long before his lips were cracked from the heat and lack of water (he did get water; just not enough). He found cockroaches when he rested, and soon found his body odor matched those near him.
Jacobs was able to have conversations with a few of the homeless, to learn a bit about them and to learn from them how to survive on the streets. But it was quickly apparent that even a short amount of time took a huge toll. How did people come back from this?
Jacobs offers no solutions but is described as an advocate for the homeless on the cover. His hope with this book is to spread awareness of the need for compassion. In spite of the writing being just average, he manages to convey a sense of the experience that will last in my memory.
March 11, 2025
We all get caught up in our own lives, and while our challenges matter, it's easy to overlook those facing greater hardships. Many of us with a roof over our heads and food on the table forget that some have neither and are constantly searching for the basics.
I can’t remember the last time I heard someone say they truly wanted to put themselves in another person’s shoes. Dr. Sheldon Jacobs didn’t just take that advice; he lived it. Through his experience and his book, he gives us a glimpse into what it really means to be unsheltered.
This book is straightforward yet powerful, focusing on the reality of being without shelter or easy access to food. Dr. Jacobs doesn’t just tell his own story; he shares the voices of those he met during his 48 hours on the streets of Las Vegas in the late summer of 2018.
Having faced my own mental health challenges, I know how easily someone can lose stability and how quickly a job loss, a lack of understanding, or inadequate support can put someone at risk of losing shelter. And yet, now that I’m in a stable place, I’ve almost forgotten. It’s a privilege to forget, but this book reminded me that privilege should be used to help others. Dr. Jacobs challenges us to confront this reality rather than look away. His book reminds us to recognize our shared humanity and use our privilege to make a difference.
I can’t remember the last time I heard someone say they truly wanted to put themselves in another person’s shoes. Dr. Sheldon Jacobs didn’t just take that advice; he lived it. Through his experience and his book, he gives us a glimpse into what it really means to be unsheltered.
This book is straightforward yet powerful, focusing on the reality of being without shelter or easy access to food. Dr. Jacobs doesn’t just tell his own story; he shares the voices of those he met during his 48 hours on the streets of Las Vegas in the late summer of 2018.
Having faced my own mental health challenges, I know how easily someone can lose stability and how quickly a job loss, a lack of understanding, or inadequate support can put someone at risk of losing shelter. And yet, now that I’m in a stable place, I’ve almost forgotten. It’s a privilege to forget, but this book reminded me that privilege should be used to help others. Dr. Jacobs challenges us to confront this reality rather than look away. His book reminds us to recognize our shared humanity and use our privilege to make a difference.
December 9, 2021
This Book is a Must Read!
The national problem of homelessness a growing concern and responsibility. Whether it someone you know or someone you happen to encounter in everyday life, the homeless are present amongst society.
This book is powerful because Dr. Sheldon Jacobs removes himself from the accoutrements and the amenities of the lifestyle that he has earned and humbly enters into the world of the homeless for 48 hours. Dr. Jacobs’ spiritual motivation to give a voice to the often marginalized homeless is world-changing. His ability to listen, discern, and empathize with the homeless individuals that he encountered also made a deep impact on him as a person.
The reader will realize that every homeless person is a human being, that experienced a unique series of events that lead them to their current state.
Jesus’ first and great commandment and the second like unto it, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” recorded in the Gospel of Matthew permeates throughout this book.
The national problem of homelessness a growing concern and responsibility. Whether it someone you know or someone you happen to encounter in everyday life, the homeless are present amongst society.
This book is powerful because Dr. Sheldon Jacobs removes himself from the accoutrements and the amenities of the lifestyle that he has earned and humbly enters into the world of the homeless for 48 hours. Dr. Jacobs’ spiritual motivation to give a voice to the often marginalized homeless is world-changing. His ability to listen, discern, and empathize with the homeless individuals that he encountered also made a deep impact on him as a person.
The reader will realize that every homeless person is a human being, that experienced a unique series of events that lead them to their current state.
Jesus’ first and great commandment and the second like unto it, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” recorded in the Gospel of Matthew permeates throughout this book.
February 23, 2023
This memoir stands out because of how Dr. Jacobs highlights the personalities and stories of homeless individuals who most would pass by without much more than a glance of pity or disdain. Within the 48 hours he spends on the streets, he connects with almost every other unhoused person he speaks to, sharing the hardships that led them to their situation while also letting their personalities shine through. While many of those he met were facing drug addiction and mental illness, some even directly propositioning him for their substance of choice, he doesn't demean them for this, which is am unfortunate pitfall of some other accounts on the homeless population. Finally, Dr. Jacob's candid account of the rejection, invisibility, and fear he felt even within the short period he spent living without a home speaks to the great trauma that homeless people face when this is their reality for years on end. Overall, this is definitely a worthwhile read that I hope can help build a lot more empathy for the unhoused population in Las Vegas.
October 12, 2022
If you are expecting to read the poetic language of a writer, this memoir is not for you. But, if you are wanting to learn about one person's perspective on homelessness in Las Vegas, then you should read this book. It is a narrow view of one experience and does not delve into the ugliness of addicts, drugs, fights, or anything else you might expect from a homeless experience. I do believe there was a spiritual sense that was with the author through his experiment on homelessness. I believe God put the people in his life during these hours for a reason -to keep him safe or to make him aware. I appreciate the author retelling his experience, but it doesn't even touch what some of the students and families deal with. I hope this perspective helps others to become aware of how society treats those that life hasn't been kind to.
March 15, 2023
Dr. Jacobs uses descriptive imagery to share the lessons that he learned from the 48 spent on the streets. He describes the first hands experience of living unhoused in Las Vegas.
In this book, Jacob shares many heart breaking stories that floods your body with so many thoughts and emotions.
The book is short in terms of pages, but long in detail and content. This book is a must read if you’re looking to get into advocacy and interested in helping your surrounding community.
Overall, Jacobs teaches his readers that it’s time for people to start listening to the needs of the community and lend a helping hand.
In this book, Jacob shares many heart breaking stories that floods your body with so many thoughts and emotions.
The book is short in terms of pages, but long in detail and content. This book is a must read if you’re looking to get into advocacy and interested in helping your surrounding community.
Overall, Jacobs teaches his readers that it’s time for people to start listening to the needs of the community and lend a helping hand.
January 1, 2021
This book was wonderful and really inspiring. I gained a lot of perspective by not just hearing about what the homeless have to endure, but how it actually feels to endure what they go through by reading his experiences. Whenever I’m able to help someone with food or money, I’m going to do my best to give them my time as well to make sure they know they belong and aren’t invisible. Keep up the amazing work!
April 19, 2021
Sheldon drove by a homeless area every day on the way to the gym. He didn't think too much about it until an encounter with a homeless woman at his gym. He realized he was like everyone else and passing them by. Sheldon decided to experience homelessness first hand for 48 hours leaving his wife and young children behind. What he learned changed him forever and possibly even anyone willing to read his book.
November 23, 2020
Great book! Homelessness is a national issue and Dr. Jacobs' experience shines a light on it. Living in the Las Vegas Valley, I have seen and have served the homeless for many years. I'm grateful for the courage of Dr. Jacobs and his willingness to undergo this experience, then bring it to us through this book.
December 18, 2020
This book was fantastic for so many reasons. It was easy to read and follow, I read it in a few days and wished there was more! The author really knows how to make you feel like you are there with him, seeing and hearing everything along with him. And you will walk away with a greater awareness of every human beings experience. Highly recommend.
June 6, 2021
Excellent book and an easy read. The book scratches the surface of what it is like to be homeless and demonstrates the need to address the problems with homelessness in society. The experiences described give a small view into the world many of us would never want to be a part of, and yet so easily could fall into.
March 25, 2021
Very important issue. While I believe that what he said he had experienced is something that many people experiencing homelessness actually experience, I am not sure I believe that he had these experiences himself during those 48 hours.
June 29, 2021
The writer decides to spend two days as a homeless man in Las Vegas. He records his experiences and the people he meets during his experimentation. This book is thought-provoking and explores the side of homelessness that people should be aware of.
November 2, 2021
Great read! Very inspirational but painful at the same time! The author's journey of his homeless experience was touching, and the people he encountered on the streets made me realize that homelessness can afflict anyone.
March 23, 2022
Dr Jacobs not only describes his journey on the streets of Las Vegas, but also captures the spirit of the people he meets with tenacity and respect., leaving each one of them with a great message.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in homelessness. I highly recommend it.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in homelessness. I highly recommend it.
January 17, 2022
Dr. Jacobs offers a perspective of homelessness from two days on the streets in Las Vegas.
April 8, 2022
Beautifully written, engaging, and the content is so important to this world we all live in. Absolutely recommend!
January 30, 2023
and putting ”dr” on the cover reassures the reader the guy has a more memoir memoir than the suckers with no ”dr” attached to their name.
December 10, 2020
Good once you reach halfway pointww
Well written, but first half of this book is psychological preparation for his quest that bored me to tears .
He could have made the prep section a lot shorter. Once he hit the street, however, I couldn't put
The book down. Very good description about how he was slowly losing his mind and suffering from hallucinations
at the close to 48 hour mark.
Well written, but first half of this book is psychological preparation for his quest that bored me to tears .
He could have made the prep section a lot shorter. Once he hit the street, however, I couldn't put
The book down. Very good description about how he was slowly losing his mind and suffering from hallucinations
at the close to 48 hour mark.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews