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What Members Thought

Isenberg’s accessible book provides a well-rounded look at class, specifically the white lower class from a economic, political, and cultural point-of-view.
While I am aware of the class (and race) structure in the US so the basic premise and the most of the information was not a surprise to me, but it was the structure of the book (linear chapters) and how the author shows how systematic those in power ensured and promote the myths of the lower class that kept me reading.
The book shines in the c ...more
While I am aware of the class (and race) structure in the US so the basic premise and the most of the information was not a surprise to me, but it was the structure of the book (linear chapters) and how the author shows how systematic those in power ensured and promote the myths of the lower class that kept me reading.
The book shines in the c ...more

This was a damn good book and one that I especially want to push into the hands of a lot of affluent white folks who I know. In terms of themes, there's little in here that's new to me; I grew up class conscious. In terms of historical fact? Plenty of new stuff and some old. What made this book powerful, though, was marshalling these themes and these facts in favor of one simple narrative: The American class system is deeply entrenched and incredibly perverse and cruel. It's one thing to know th
...more

Jun 21, 2016
Jen
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Jul 04, 2016
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Jul 12, 2016
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Jul 12, 2016
Julie Griffin
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Jul 23, 2016
Ching-In
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Nov 15, 2016
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Dec 21, 2016
Peg
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really liked it
Shelves:
history,
nonfiction,
recs-for-janet,
americas,
economics,
political,
women-authors,
social-change,
inequality,
read-in-2016

Dec 19, 2016
Jackie
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Feb 07, 2017
Deedee
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Mar 13, 2021
knittingmami
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Scott
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Feb 28, 2022
Tiffany
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