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SoBrief
Searching...
Gang Leader for a Day
by Sudhir Venkatesh • 2008
A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.
4.07
26k+
Gang Leader for a Day Summary
Gang Leader for a Day 90%
A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.
by Sudhir Venkatesh 2008
4.07
26k+ ratings
Invisible Child
by Andrea Elliott • 2021
Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.
4.70
20k+
Invisible Child Summary
Invisible Child 89%
Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.
by Andrea Elliott 2021
4.70
20k+ ratings
Profit and Punishment
by Tony Messenger • 2021
When courts depend on fines to stay open, the poor become the revenue.
4.26
658
Profit and Punishment Summary
Profit and Punishment 89%
When courts depend on fines to stay open, the poor become the revenue.
by Tony Messenger 2021
4.26
658 ratings
Sidewalk
by Mitchell Duneier • 1999
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
4.15
2k+
Sidewalk Summary
Sidewalk 89%
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
by Mitchell Duneier 1999
4.15
2k+ ratings
The Locust Effect
by Gary A. Haugen • 2013
Poverty's root cause is violence, not economics. The aid industry has been fixing the wrong problem.
4.32
2k+
The Locust Effect Summary
The Locust Effect 89%
Poverty's root cause is violence, not economics. The aid industry has been fixing the wrong problem.
by Gary A. Haugen 2013
4.32
2k+ ratings
Punishment Without Crime
by Alexandra Natapoff • 2018
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
4.16
441
Punishment Without Crime Summary
Punishment Without Crime 89%
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
by Alexandra Natapoff 2018
4.16
441 ratings
The Art of Making Money
by Jason Kersten • 2009
His counterfeits were nearly flawless. The people in his life were not.
4.01
2k+
The Art of Making Money Summary
The Art of Making Money 89%
His counterfeits were nearly flawless. The people in his life were not.
by Jason Kersten 2009
4.01
2k+ ratings
Poverty Safari
by Darren McGarvey • 2017
Poverty isn't just broke. It's trauma, addiction, and a mind that fights its own rescue.
4.01
7k+
Poverty Safari Summary
Poverty Safari 89%
Poverty isn't just broke. It's trauma, addiction, and a mind that fights its own rescue.
by Darren McGarvey 2017
4.01
7k+ 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 88%
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
by Nicholas Dawidoff 2022
4.43
462 ratings
Improving Poor People
by Michael B. Katz • 1995
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
3.83
12
Improving Poor People Summary
Improving Poor People 88%
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
by Michael B. Katz 1995
3.83
12 ratings
Evicted
by Matthew Desmond • 2016
Poverty isn't the cause of eviction. Eviction is the cause of poverty, and the market profits.
4.47
115k+
Evicted Summary
Evicted 88%
Poverty isn't the cause of eviction. Eviction is the cause of poverty, and the market profits.
by Matthew Desmond 2016
4.47
115k+ ratings
Fist Stick Knife Gun
by Geoffrey Canada • 1995
Respect was won with fists on Union Avenue. Then guns came and rewrote the rules for everyone.
4.03
3k+
Fist Stick Knife Gun Summary
Fist Stick Knife Gun 88%
Respect was won with fists on Union Avenue. Then guns came and rewrote the rules for everyone.
by Geoffrey Canada 1995
4.03
3k+ ratings
Maid
by Stephanie Land • 2019
A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.
3.86
114k+
Maid Summary
Maid 88%
A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.
by Stephanie Land 2019
3.86
114k+ ratings
The Lost and the Found
by Kevin Fagan • 2025
A reporter followed two unhoused people in San Francisco. One got out. The other didn't. Here's why.
4.27
912
The Lost and the Found Summary
The Lost and the Found 88%
A reporter followed two unhoused people in San Francisco. One got out. The other didn't. Here's why.
by Kevin Fagan 2025
4.27
912 ratings
All You Can Eat
by Joel Berg • 2008
America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.
3.88
137
All You Can Eat Summary
All You Can Eat 88%
America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.
by Joel Berg 2008
3.88
137 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
719
White Poverty Summary
White Poverty 88%
America's poor are mostly white. The lie that says otherwise keeps the working class fractured.
by William J. Barber II 2024
4.28
719 ratings
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
by Katherine Boo • 2012
A murder charge, born of envy, traps a garbage-sorting family in Mumbai's market for justice.
3.98
117k+
Behind the Beautiful Forevers Summary
Behind the Beautiful Forevers 88%
A murder charge, born of envy, traps a garbage-sorting family in Mumbai's market for justice.
by Katherine Boo 2012
3.98
117k+ ratings
The Other Wes Moore
by Wes Moore • 2010
Two boys named Wes Moore, same city. One became a Rhodes Scholar; the other got life.
3.87
60k+
The Other Wes Moore Summary
The Other Wes Moore 88%
Two boys named Wes Moore, same city. One became a Rhodes Scholar; the other got life.
by Wes Moore 2010
3.87
60k+ ratings
Punishing the Poor
by Loïc Wacquant • 2004
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
4.21
277
Punishing the Poor Summary
Punishing the Poor 88%
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
by Loïc Wacquant 2004
4.21
277 ratings
Life at the Bottom
by Theodore Dalrymple • 2001
Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.
4.23
4k+
Life at the Bottom Summary
Life at the Bottom 88%
Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.
by Theodore Dalrymple 2001
4.23
4k+ ratings
Hillbilly Elegy
by J.D. Vance • 2016
Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.
3.83
508k+
Hillbilly Elegy Summary
Hillbilly Elegy 88%
Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.
by J.D. Vance 2016
3.83
508k+ 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 88%
Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.
by Charles Murray 2006
3.74
290 ratings
The Perils of Federalism
by Lisa L. Miller • 2008
Federalism rewards punitive interests. The communities hit hardest by crime stay shut out.
3.54
13
The Perils of Federalism Summary
The Perils of Federalism 88%
Federalism rewards punitive interests. The communities hit hardest by crime stay shut out.
by Lisa L. Miller 2008
3.54
13 ratings
Ain't No Makin' It
by Jay MacLeod • 2008
One group believed hard work would save them; the other didn't. Class position decided their fates.
4.07
1k+
Ain't No Makin' It Summary
Ain't No Makin' It 88%
One group believed hard work would save them; the other didn't. Class position decided their fates.
by Jay MacLeod 2008
4.07
1k+ ratings
The Business Secrets of Drug Dealing
by Matt Taibbi • 2018
A drug dealer's business playbook: lessons in risk, financial discipline, and knowing when to quit.
3.95
337
The Business Secrets of Drug Dealing Summary
The Business Secrets of Drug Dealing 88%
A drug dealer's business playbook: lessons in risk, financial discipline, and knowing when to quit.
by Matt Taibbi 2018
3.95
337 ratings
Education of a Felon
by Edward Bunker • 1999
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
4.14
2k+
Education of a Felon Summary
Education of a Felon 87%
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
by Edward Bunker 1999
4.14
2k+ ratings
Broke, USA
by Gary Rivlin • 2010
How pawnshops and payday lenders turned the working poor into a multi-billion dollar market.
3.71
1k+
Broke, USA Summary
Broke, USA 87%
How pawnshops and payday lenders turned the working poor into a multi-billion dollar market.
by Gary Rivlin 2010
3.71
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 87%
Beneath every British crisis lies a map of inequality decades in the making.
by Danny Dorling 2023
3.97
119 ratings
Portfolios of the Poor
by Daryl Collins • 2009
Hand-to-mouth is a myth. On $2 a day, the poor juggle a dozen financial instruments just to survive.
3.95
1k+
Portfolios of the Poor Summary
Portfolios of the Poor 87%
Hand-to-mouth is a myth. On $2 a day, the poor juggle a dozen financial instruments just to survive.
by Daryl Collins 2009
3.95
1k+ ratings
Juvenile Delinquency
by Larry J. Siegel • 2004
Youth crime stems from biology, poverty, and a system caught between punishment and rehabilitation.
3.73
109
Juvenile Delinquency Summary
Juvenile Delinquency 87%
Youth crime stems from biology, poverty, and a system caught between punishment and rehabilitation.
by Larry J. Siegel 2004
3.73
109 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 87%
The poor aren't a drain; they're an untapped engine. A blueprint for making capitalism include them.
by John Hope Bryant 2014
3.99
210 ratings
All That Is Solid
by Danny Dorling • 2014
Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.
3.55
144
All That Is Solid Summary
All That Is Solid 87%
Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.
by Danny Dorling 2014
3.55
144 ratings
In the Shadow of the Poorhouse
by Michael B. Katz • 1986
American welfare was designed to deter, not to help. The poorhouse closed; the logic stayed.
3.74
138
In the Shadow of the Poorhouse Summary
In the Shadow of the Poorhouse 87%
American welfare was designed to deter, not to help. The poorhouse closed; the logic stayed.
by Michael B. Katz 1986
3.74
138 ratings
The New Urban Crisis
by Richard Florida • 2017
Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.
3.49
1k+
The New Urban Crisis Summary
The New Urban Crisis 87%
Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.
by Richard Florida 2017
3.49
1k+ ratings
Men Without Work
by Nicholas Eberstadt • 2016
Seven million prime-age men have quit the workforce entirely. The problem isn't a lack of jobs.
3.41
501
Men Without Work Summary
Men Without Work 87%
Seven million prime-age men have quit the workforce entirely. The problem isn't a lack of jobs.
by Nicholas Eberstadt 2016
3.41
501 ratings
An American Summer
by Alex Kotlowitz • 2019
172 killed, 793 wounded. One Chicago summer, inside the lives the violence leaves behind.
4.31
5k+
An American Summer Summary
An American Summer 87%
172 killed, 793 wounded. One Chicago summer, inside the lives the violence leaves behind.
by Alex Kotlowitz 2019
4.31
5k+ ratings
San Fransicko
by Michael Shellenberger • 2021
Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.
4.01
4k+
San Fransicko Summary
San Fransicko 87%
Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.
by Michael Shellenberger 2021
4.01
4k+ ratings
The Human Cost of Welfare
by Phil Harvey • 2016
Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.
4.45
20
The Human Cost of Welfare Summary
The Human Cost of Welfare 87%
Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.
by Phil Harvey 2016
4.45
20 ratings
The Mystery Of Capital
by Hernando de Soto • 2000
$9.3 trillion: what the world's poor already own and cannot borrow a dime against.
3.99
4k+
The Mystery Of Capital Summary
The Mystery Of Capital 87%
$9.3 trillion: what the world's poor already own and cannot borrow a dime against.
by Hernando de Soto 2000
3.99
4k+ ratings
The Night Always Comes
by Willy Vlautin • 2021
A Portland waitress has one night to make a down payment or her family loses everything.
3.83
7k+
The Night Always Comes Summary
The Night Always Comes 87%
A Portland waitress has one night to make a down payment or her family loses everything.
by Willy Vlautin 2021
3.83
7k+ ratings
Rough Sleepers
by Tracy Kidder • 2023
The homeless die ten times faster. A Boston doctor found that trust is the only cure.
4.34
11k+
Rough Sleepers Summary
Rough Sleepers 87%
The homeless die ten times faster. A Boston doctor found that trust is the only cure.
by Tracy Kidder 2023
4.34
11k+ ratings
Categorically Unequal
by Douglas S. Massey • 2007
America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.
4.24
134
Categorically Unequal Summary
Categorically Unequal 87%
America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.
by Douglas S. Massey 2007
4.24
134 ratings
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison
by Jeffrey H. Reiman • 1979
The justice system ignores corporate harm and targets the poor. That failure is its real job.
3.94
589
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison Summary
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison 87%
The justice system ignores corporate harm and targets the poor. That failure is its real job.
by Jeffrey H. Reiman 1979
3.94
589 ratings
The Bottom Billion
by Paul Collier • 2007
Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.
3.85
8k+
The Bottom Billion Summary
The Bottom Billion 87%
Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.
by Paul Collier 2007
3.85
8k+ ratings
Behind the Door
by Amy Price • 2023
An interior designer becomes manager of L.A.'s Cecil Hotel, where the dead outnumber the living.
3.48
1k+
Behind the Door Summary
Behind the Door 87%
An interior designer becomes manager of L.A.'s Cecil Hotel, where the dead outnumber the living.
by Amy Price 2023
3.48
1k+ ratings
Pimp
by Iceberg Slim • 1967
A Chicago pimp traces his transformation from wounded boy to master manipulator to man undone.
4.00
15k+
Pimp Summary
Pimp 87%
A Chicago pimp traces his transformation from wounded boy to master manipulator to man undone.
by Iceberg Slim 1967
4.00
15k+ ratings
Gomorrah
by Roberto Saviano • 2006
Camorra bosses control the factories, ports, and supply chains that dress Europe.
3.80
23k+
Gomorrah Summary
Gomorrah 87%
Camorra bosses control the factories, ports, and supply chains that dress Europe.
by Roberto Saviano 2006
3.80
23k+ 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 87%
Factories silent, towns hollow, but the people Priestley met in 1933 refused to vanish.
by J.B. Priestley 1934
4.09
483 ratings
The Secret Barrister
by The Secret Barrister • 2018
A barrister reveals how criminal courts became an assembly line, and who pays the price.
3.88
23k+
The Secret Barrister Summary
The Secret Barrister 87%
A barrister reveals how criminal courts became an assembly line, and who pays the price.
by The Secret Barrister 2018
3.88
23k+ ratings
Narconomics
by Tom Wainwright • 2016
Drug cartels are franchise corporations. Beating them means reading their balance sheet.
4.14
12k+
Narconomics Summary
Narconomics 87%
Drug cartels are franchise corporations. Beating them means reading their balance sheet.
by Tom Wainwright 2016
4.14
12k+ ratings
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