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SoBrief

Poverty Book Summaries

Poor Economics
by Abhijit V. Banerjee • 2011
Grand theories say invest in institutions. The data says deworm children and give away bed nets.
4.27
24k+
Poor Economics Summary
Poor Economics
Grand theories say invest in institutions. The data says deworm children and give away bed nets.
by Abhijit V. Banerjee 2011 303 pages
4.27
24k+ ratings
One World
by Peter Singer • 2002
Borders do not contain carbon, missiles, or pandemics. They should not contain your conscience.
3.72
1k+
One World Summary
One World
Borders do not contain carbon, missiles, or pandemics. They should not contain your conscience.
by Peter Singer 2002 272 pages
3.72
1k+ ratings
Never Stop Walking
by Christina Rickardsson • 2016
Adoption carried her from Brazilian caves to Sweden at eight. Learning the cost took decades.
3.98
9k+
Never Stop Walking Summary
Never Stop Walking
Adoption carried her from Brazilian caves to Sweden at eight. Learning the cost took decades.
by Christina Rickardsson 2016 256 pages
3.98
9k+ ratings
The Looting Machine
by Tom Burgis • 2015
Your phone links you to a hidden network that turns Africa's oil and minerals into poverty.
4.04
2k+
The Looting Machine Summary
The Looting Machine
Your phone links you to a hidden network that turns Africa's oil and minerals into poverty.
by Tom Burgis 2015 352 pages
4.04
2k+ ratings
Stones Into Schools
by Greg Mortenson • 2009
What actually defeats the Taliban: girls' schools in places helicopters can't reach.
3.85
17k+
Stones Into Schools Summary
Stones Into Schools
What actually defeats the Taliban: girls' schools in places helicopters can't reach.
by Greg Mortenson 2009 420 pages
3.85
17k+ ratings
English Journey
by J.B. Priestley • 1934
Factories silent, towns hollow, but the people Priestley met in 1933 refused to vanish.
4.09
483
English Journey Summary
English Journey
Factories silent, towns hollow, but the people Priestley met in 1933 refused to vanish.
by J.B. Priestley 1934 384 pages
4.09
483 ratings
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith • 1943
A bookish tenement girl clings to reading while her charming father drinks and her mother scrubs.
4.30
500k+
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Summary
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A bookish tenement girl clings to reading while her charming father drinks and her mother scrubs.
by Betty Smith 1943 496 pages
4.30
500k+ ratings
The New Human Rights Movement
by Peter Joseph • 2017
The economy is a well-oiled system of oppression. The case for rebuilding it, not fixing it.
4.33
500+
The New Human Rights Movement Summary
The New Human Rights Movement
The economy is a well-oiled system of oppression. The case for rebuilding it, not fixing it.
by Peter Joseph 2017 266 pages
4.33
500+ ratings
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor • 2016
Police violence won't end with reform. The problem is the economic system behind the badge.
4.47
2k+
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation Summary
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation
Police violence won't end with reform. The problem is the economic system behind the badge.
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor 2016 270 pages
4.47
2k+ ratings
The Big Truck that Went By
by Jonathan M. Katz • 2013
When the world rushed to save Haiti, it brought a cholera epidemic with it.
4.12
1k+
The Big Truck that Went By Summary
The Big Truck that Went By
When the world rushed to save Haiti, it brought a cholera epidemic with it.
by Jonathan M. Katz 2013 320 pages
4.12
1k+ ratings
Shattered Nation
by Danny Dorling • 2023
Beneath every British crisis lies a map of inequality decades in the making.
3.97
119
Shattered Nation Summary
Shattered Nation
Beneath every British crisis lies a map of inequality decades in the making.
by Danny Dorling 2023 288 pages
3.97
119 ratings
Capital City
by Samuel Stein • 2019
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
3.92
1k+
Capital City Summary
Capital City
Gentrification is not a market outcome. It is policy, written by the real estate industry.
by Samuel Stein 2019 202 pages
3.92
1k+ ratings
Take This Bread
by Sara Miles • 2007
An atheist war reporter walked into a church for communion and came out a food-pantry revolutionary.
4.00
5k+
Take This Bread Summary
Take This Bread
An atheist war reporter walked into a church for communion and came out a food-pantry revolutionary.
by Sara Miles 2007 297 pages
4.00
5k+ ratings
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
by John Wood • 2006
A trekking trip, an empty library: why a Microsoft exec quit to build schools across Asia.
4.10
4k+
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World Summary
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
A trekking trip, an empty library: why a Microsoft exec quit to build schools across Asia.
by John Wood 2006 272 pages
4.10
4k+ ratings
In Our Hands
by Charles Murray • 2006
Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.
3.74
290
In Our Hands Summary
In Our Hands
Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.
by Charles Murray 2006 152 pages
3.74
290 ratings
Below Stairs
by Margaret Powell • 1968
She cooked their banquets in early 1900s England, and they forgot she existed.
3.58
14k+
Below Stairs Summary
Below Stairs
She cooked their banquets in early 1900s England, and they forgot she existed.
by Margaret Powell 1968 288 pages
3.58
14k+ ratings
The Water Is Wide
by Pat Conroy • 1972
The island kids couldn't tell time. Their teacher drove them to Washington.
4.17
27k+
The Water Is Wide Summary
The Water Is Wide
The island kids couldn't tell time. Their teacher drove them to Washington.
by Pat Conroy 1972 260 pages
4.17
27k+ ratings
The Color of Money
by Mehrsa Baradaran • 2017
Why Black-owned banks, born from exclusion, could never close the gap they were meant to fix.
4.47
2k+
The Color of Money Summary
The Color of Money
Why Black-owned banks, born from exclusion, could never close the gap they were meant to fix.
by Mehrsa Baradaran 2017 371 pages
4.47
2k+ ratings
Canary in the Coal Mine
by William Cooke • 2021
When HIV tore through an Indiana town, one doctor fought for syringes, compassion, and the truth.
3.92
500+
Canary in the Coal Mine Summary
Canary in the Coal Mine
When HIV tore through an Indiana town, one doctor fought for syringes, compassion, and the truth.
by William Cooke 2021 320 pages
3.92
500+ ratings
No Greater Love
by Mother Teresa • 1997
Radical love is a thousand tiny gestures. It starts at home, and anyone can do it.
4.37
3k+
No Greater Love Summary
No Greater Love
Radical love is a thousand tiny gestures. It starts at home, and anyone can do it.
by Mother Teresa 1997 224 pages
4.37
3k+ ratings
Class
by Stephanie Land • 2023
To afford college, she scrubbed toilets. The welfare office told her to drop out instead.
3.61
14k+
Class Summary
Class
To afford college, she scrubbed toilets. The welfare office told her to drop out instead.
by Stephanie Land 2023 288 pages
3.61
14k+ ratings
Never Far from Home
by Bruce Jackson • 2023
Amsterdam Houses to Microsoft: a Black lawyer's climb through music, race, and two worlds.
4.12
257
Never Far from Home Summary
Never Far from Home
Amsterdam Houses to Microsoft: a Black lawyer's climb through music, race, and two worlds.
by Bruce Jackson 2023 272 pages
4.12
257 ratings
The Years That Matter Most
by Paul Tough • 2019
Getting into an elite college depends more on your parents’ income than your SAT score.
4.39
2k+
The Years That Matter Most Summary
The Years That Matter Most
Getting into an elite college depends more on your parents’ income than your SAT score.
by Paul Tough 2019 400 pages
4.39
2k+ ratings
Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind
by Eric Jensen • 2013
The classroom moves that overcome poverty's grip on learning, even when motivation is scarce.
4.09
500+
Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind Summary
Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind
The classroom moves that overcome poverty's grip on learning, even when motivation is scarce.
by Eric Jensen 2013 299 pages
4.09
500+ ratings
How the Other Half Banks
by Mehrsa Baradaran • 2015
Banks get public support but exclude the poor. The public option that restores the social contract.
4.09
500+
How the Other Half Banks Summary
How the Other Half Banks
Banks get public support but exclude the poor. The public option that restores the social contract.
by Mehrsa Baradaran 2015 336 pages
4.09
500+ ratings
The Bridge Home
by Padma Venkatraman • 2019
Protecting her disabled sister, Viji flees their father and builds a family on a Chennai bridge.
4.26
11k+
The Bridge Home Summary
The Bridge Home
Protecting her disabled sister, Viji flees their father and builds a family on a Chennai bridge.
by Padma Venkatraman 2019 208 pages
4.26
11k+ ratings
Not for Sale
by David Batstone • 2007
Slavery never ended. Thirty million people are still in chains, in the country next door.
4.24
1k+
Not for Sale Summary
Not for Sale
Slavery never ended. Thirty million people are still in chains, in the country next door.
by David Batstone 2007 304 pages
4.24
1k+ ratings
Wine to Water
by Doc Hendley • 2012
From pouring drinks to drilling wells in Darfur: a bartender's unlikely path into humanitarian work.
3.96
500+
Wine to Water Summary
Wine to Water
From pouring drinks to drilling wells in Darfur: a bartender's unlikely path into humanitarian work.
by Doc Hendley 2012 308 pages
3.96
500+ ratings
Now I Am Known
by Peter Mutabazi • 2022
A stranger asked a street kid his name. He grew up to become a foster father.
4.75
1k+
Now I Am Known Summary
Now I Am Known
A stranger asked a street kid his name. He grew up to become a foster father.
by Peter Mutabazi 2022 226 pages
4.75
1k+ ratings
Glass House
by Brian Alexander • 2017
Private equity bought a glass factory. By the time they were done, a town was destroyed.
3.91
1k+
Glass House Summary
Glass House
Private equity bought a glass factory. By the time they were done, a town was destroyed.
by Brian Alexander 2017 336 pages
3.91
1k+ ratings
America
by Chris Hedges • 2018
Addiction, casinos, and the death of work: the symptoms of late capitalism's terminal stage.
4.23
2k+
America Summary
America
Addiction, casinos, and the death of work: the symptoms of late capitalism's terminal stage.
by Chris Hedges 2018 400 pages
4.23
2k+ ratings
City of Women
by Christine Stansell • 1986
In early New York, working-class women built a hidden city of mutual aid and sexual exchange.
3.89
500+
City of Women Summary
City of Women
In early New York, working-class women built a hidden city of mutual aid and sexual exchange.
by Christine Stansell 1986 320 pages
3.89
500+ ratings
Aman
by Virginia Lee Barnes • 1994
Famine. Circumcision. Child marriage. Aman survived all three before thirteen. Then came the choice.
3.78
500+
Aman Summary
Aman
Famine. Circumcision. Child marriage. Aman survived all three before thirteen. Then came the choice.
by Virginia Lee Barnes 1994 368 pages
3.78
500+ ratings
White Poverty
by William J. Barber II • 2024
America's poor are mostly white. The lie that says otherwise keeps the working class fractured.
4.28
500+
White Poverty Summary
White Poverty
America's poor are mostly white. The lie that says otherwise keeps the working class fractured.
by William J. Barber II 2024 270 pages
4.28
500+ ratings
Join the Club
by Tina Rosenberg • 2011
Peer pressure has toppled dictators and slowed epidemics. The case for aiming it deliberately.
3.49
340
Join the Club Summary
Join the Club
Peer pressure has toppled dictators and slowed epidemics. The case for aiming it deliberately.
by Tina Rosenberg 2011 432 pages
3.49
340 ratings
Made in China
by Anna Qu • 2021
At fourteen, she worked her parents' sweatshop. What the CPS file revealed decades later was worse.
3.85
2k+
Made in China Summary
Made in China
At fourteen, she worked her parents' sweatshop. What the CPS file revealed decades later was worse.
by Anna Qu 2021 224 pages
3.85
2k+ ratings
The Other Side of Prospect
by Nicholas Dawidoff • 2022
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
4.43
462
The Other Side of Prospect Summary
The Other Side of Prospect
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
by Nicholas Dawidoff 2022 464 pages
4.43
462 ratings
How the Poor Can Save Capitalism
by John Hope Bryant • 2014
The poor aren't a drain; they're an untapped engine. A blueprint for making capitalism include them.
3.99
210
How the Poor Can Save Capitalism Summary
How the Poor Can Save Capitalism
The poor aren't a drain; they're an untapped engine. A blueprint for making capitalism include them.
by John Hope Bryant 2014 176 pages
3.99
210 ratings
The Social Determinants of Health
by Kathryn Strother Ratcliff • 2017
What if America's worst health problems can't be cured in a hospital?
4.19
37
The Social Determinants of Health Summary
The Social Determinants of Health
What if America's worst health problems can't be cured in a hospital?
by Kathryn Strother Ratcliff 2017 256 pages
4.19
37 ratings
Having Nothing, Possessing Everything
by Michael Mather • 2018
A pastor stopped tallying what his poor neighborhood lacked. What he found rewrote his calling.
4.39
241
Having Nothing, Possessing Everything Summary
Having Nothing, Possessing Everything
A pastor stopped tallying what his poor neighborhood lacked. What he found rewrote his calling.
by Michael Mather 2018 160 pages
4.39
241 ratings
Jackpot
by Michael Mechanic • 2021
Extreme wealth corrodes character, isolates its owners, and rigs the economy against everyone else.
3.86
500+
Jackpot Summary
Jackpot
Extreme wealth corrodes character, isolates its owners, and rigs the economy against everyone else.
by Michael Mechanic 2021 416 pages
3.86
500+ ratings
Justice at Work
by Marc Doussard • 2022
How coalitions fuse racial and economic justice to win policy in cities.
5.00
3
Justice at Work Summary
Justice at Work
How coalitions fuse racial and economic justice to win policy in cities.
by Marc Doussard 2022 252 pages
5.00
3 ratings
Eating Tomorrow
by Timothy A. Wise • 2019
Agribusiness starves farmers and the planet. Peasant-led farming is already fixing it.
3.78
78
Eating Tomorrow Summary
Eating Tomorrow
Agribusiness starves farmers and the planet. Peasant-led farming is already fixing it.
by Timothy A. Wise 2019 335 pages
3.78
78 ratings
Bankrupting the Third World
by James Morcan • 2015
The global poverty industry: why aid, loans, and conflict minerals ensure poor nations stay poor.
4.40
96
Bankrupting the Third World Summary
Bankrupting the Third World
The global poverty industry: why aid, loans, and conflict minerals ensure poor nations stay poor.
by James Morcan 2015 102 pages
4.40
96 ratings
Not Working
by D.W. Gibson • 2012
What a paycheck conceals: Americans on the identity, health, and dignity that left with the job.
3.68
60
Not Working Summary
Not Working
What a paycheck conceals: Americans on the identity, health, and dignity that left with the job.
by D.W. Gibson 2012 479 pages
3.68
60 ratings
The Origins of the Urban Crisis
by Thomas J. Sugrue • 1996
Detroit collapsed from job loss and housing segregation decades before the 1967 riot finished it.
4.24
2k+
The Origins of the Urban Crisis Summary
The Origins of the Urban Crisis
Detroit collapsed from job loss and housing segregation decades before the 1967 riot finished it.
by Thomas J. Sugrue 1996 416 pages
4.24
2k+ ratings
A Good Childhood
by Judy Dunn • 2009
More stuff, sadder kids: how self-interest became a public health crisis for children.
3.67
61
A Good Childhood Summary
A Good Childhood
More stuff, sadder kids: how self-interest became a public health crisis for children.
by Judy Dunn 2009
3.67
61 ratings
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman
by Gennifer Choldenko • 2024
Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.
4.46
3k+
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Summary
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman
Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.
by Gennifer Choldenko 2024 320 pages
4.46
3k+ ratings
Friendship at the Margins
by Christopher L. Heuertz • 2010
The most radical move in Christian mission: stop helping and start befriending.
4.18
372
Friendship at the Margins Summary
Friendship at the Margins
The most radical move in Christian mission: stop helping and start befriending.
by Christopher L. Heuertz 2010 160 pages
4.18
372 ratings
Sidewalk
by Mitchell Duneier • 1999
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
4.15
1k+
Sidewalk Summary
Sidewalk
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
by Mitchell Duneier 1999 400 pages
4.15
1k+ ratings
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