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Ending Poverty in America: How to Restore the American Dream
John Edwards puts a seminal issue back on the map, presenting blueprints for ending poverty in America.
"This is one of the great moral issues of our time. The day after Katrina hit, new government statistics showed that 37 million Americans live in poverty, up for the fourth year in a row." —Senator John Edwards
Is poverty a fact of life? Can the wealthiest nation in the world do nothing to combat the steadily rising numbers of Americans living in poverty—or the 50 million Americans living in "near poverty"? Senator John Edwards and some of the country's most prominent scholars, businesspeople, and community activists say otherwise.
Published in conjunction with one of the country's leading anti-poverty centers, Ending Poverty in America brings together some of America's most respected social scientists, including William Julius Wilson, Katherine S. Newman, and Richard B. Freeman, alongside journalists, neighborhood organizers, and business leaders. The voices heard here are both liberal and conservative, and tackle hot-button issues such as job creation, schools, housing, and family-friendly social policy.
The contributors explain why poverty is growing and outline concrete steps that can be taken now to start turning the tide. In a political landscape seemingly bereft of daring and forward-thinking ideas, this new book lays out a path toward eliminating poverty in America—a template for a renewed public debate for an issue of intense urgency.
Contributors Jared Bernstein, Anita Brown-Graham, Carol Mendez Cassell, Richard Freeman, Angela Glover-Blackwell, Jacob Hacker, Harry Holzer, Jack Kemp, Glenn Loury, Ron Mincy, Katherine S. Newman, Melvin Oliver, Dennis Orthner, David Shipler, Beth Shulman, Michael Stegman, Elizabeth Warren, William Julius Wilson.
"This is one of the great moral issues of our time. The day after Katrina hit, new government statistics showed that 37 million Americans live in poverty, up for the fourth year in a row." —Senator John Edwards
Is poverty a fact of life? Can the wealthiest nation in the world do nothing to combat the steadily rising numbers of Americans living in poverty—or the 50 million Americans living in "near poverty"? Senator John Edwards and some of the country's most prominent scholars, businesspeople, and community activists say otherwise.
Published in conjunction with one of the country's leading anti-poverty centers, Ending Poverty in America brings together some of America's most respected social scientists, including William Julius Wilson, Katherine S. Newman, and Richard B. Freeman, alongside journalists, neighborhood organizers, and business leaders. The voices heard here are both liberal and conservative, and tackle hot-button issues such as job creation, schools, housing, and family-friendly social policy.
The contributors explain why poverty is growing and outline concrete steps that can be taken now to start turning the tide. In a political landscape seemingly bereft of daring and forward-thinking ideas, this new book lays out a path toward eliminating poverty in America—a template for a renewed public debate for an issue of intense urgency.
Contributors Jared Bernstein, Anita Brown-Graham, Carol Mendez Cassell, Richard Freeman, Angela Glover-Blackwell, Jacob Hacker, Harry Holzer, Jack Kemp, Glenn Loury, Ron Mincy, Katherine S. Newman, Melvin Oliver, Dennis Orthner, David Shipler, Beth Shulman, Michael Stegman, Elizabeth Warren, William Julius Wilson.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2007
10 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
John Edwards
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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2023
I came across this book while searching my library's catalog for something else (that it didn't have) and thought, "Hey, that sounds interesting!"
Well, it is interesting if you enjoy reading academic journals.
Even though John Edwards' name is in large print on the cover of the book, he is only one of three people who edited the book, and he did contribute a sort-of conclusion essay at the end. The book is a collection of essays from prominent folks, such as Elizabeth Warren, about ways the American government can eliminate poverty. Basically, stop being racist, pay people a decent wage, and help out working mothers more.
If you're thinking, "Oh, good to know John Edwards is doing stuff these days", well, think again. This book came out in 2007, the year after I graduated college. The things being talked about and suggested in this book.... have still not come to pass. Knowing that from my future standpoint was just sad and disheartening.
If you want to read something more recent about poverty in America and "the working poor", I'd suggest the book "How the Other Half Eats".
Well, it is interesting if you enjoy reading academic journals.
Even though John Edwards' name is in large print on the cover of the book, he is only one of three people who edited the book, and he did contribute a sort-of conclusion essay at the end. The book is a collection of essays from prominent folks, such as Elizabeth Warren, about ways the American government can eliminate poverty. Basically, stop being racist, pay people a decent wage, and help out working mothers more.
If you're thinking, "Oh, good to know John Edwards is doing stuff these days", well, think again. This book came out in 2007, the year after I graduated college. The things being talked about and suggested in this book.... have still not come to pass. Knowing that from my future standpoint was just sad and disheartening.
If you want to read something more recent about poverty in America and "the working poor", I'd suggest the book "How the Other Half Eats".
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September 14, 2014currently reading
good so far
good so far
September 13, 2007
I wish I felt it could happen. Even after reading this book, I remain unconvinced. Sigh.
January 6, 2008
Excellent collection of essays by experts in the field. Well-argued, nonpartisan, wideranging coverage of the issues (from the global economy to education to issues of race and class).
January 17, 2008
Not an exciting read, but very very informative. Too bad none of the proposals in the book will ever be enacted by the government.
December 1, 2011
Thought provoking but not preachy, which I found refreshing. I especially liked the essay by Elizabeth Warren; her suggestions are both practical and fair.
January 31, 2014
Interesting read broken up into a variety of case papers. Some I agreed with more than others. May be a book I read at a more studious pace in the future.
August 5, 2008
This is a really good look at the systems that contribute to poverty.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews