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SoBrief
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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 92%
America has the food to feed everyone. Why 35 million still go hungry.
by Joel Berg 2008
3.88
137 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 92%
Welfare was built to end poverty. Its rules punish work, marriage, and saving instead.
by Phil Harvey 2016
4.45
20 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 92%
Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.
by Charles Murray 2006
3.74
290 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 92%
Why America keeps trying to fix the poor instead of poverty, and what history reveals.
by Michael B. Katz 1995
3.83
12 ratings
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 91%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
Best Things First
by Bjørn Lomborg • 2023
Saving 4.2 million lives yearly costs $35 billion, if you fund only the most effective policies.
3.90
388
Best Things First Summary
Best Things First 91%
Saving 4.2 million lives yearly costs $35 billion, if you fund only the most effective policies.
by Bjørn Lomborg 2023
3.90
388 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 91%
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
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 91%
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 Color of Welfare
by Jill Quadagno • 1994
Racial backlash, not liberal ideals, unraveled the American welfare state, program by program.
4.16
90
The Color of Welfare Summary
The Color of Welfare 91%
Racial backlash, not liberal ideals, unraveled the American welfare state, program by program.
by Jill Quadagno 1994
4.16
90 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 91%
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
Poor Economics
by Abhijit V. Banerjee • 2011
Poverty is not one problem but many small ones. Randomized trials reveal which fixes actually work.
4.27
25k+
Poor Economics Summary
Poor Economics 91%
Poverty is not one problem but many small ones. Randomized trials reveal which fixes actually work.
by Abhijit V. Banerjee 2011
4.27
25k+ 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 91%
Born homeless in Brooklyn, Dasani gets one shot: a boarding school that accepts one in ten.
by Andrea Elliott 2021
4.70
20k+ 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 91%
A single mother cleans houses while barely holding onto her own: life inside the working poor.
by Stephanie Land 2019
3.86
114k+ 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 91%
Beneath every British crisis lies a map of inequality decades in the making.
by Danny Dorling 2023
3.97
119 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 90%
Britain has a third more bedrooms than people. The housing disaster is engineered, not inevitable.
by Danny Dorling 2014
3.55
144 ratings
From Welfare to Workfare
by Jennifer Mittelstadt • 2005
Reformers taught poor mothers to work to save welfare; they built the case for workfare instead.
3.91
11
From Welfare to Workfare Summary
From Welfare to Workfare 90%
Reformers taught poor mothers to work to save welfare; they built the case for workfare instead.
by Jennifer Mittelstadt 2005
3.91
11 ratings
Shifting the Color Line
by Robert C. Lieberman • 1998
New Deal welfare was a racial sorting machine, not by intent but by institutional design.
3.69
16
Shifting the Color Line Summary
Shifting the Color Line 90%
New Deal welfare was a racial sorting machine, not by intent but by institutional design.
by Robert C. Lieberman 1998
3.69
16 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 90%
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
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 90%
Poverty didn't wreck the underclass. A set of ideas did—and intellectuals handed them down.
by Theodore Dalrymple 2001
4.23
4k+ ratings
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem
by Gregg Colburn • 2022
Homelessness rates don't track mental illness or poverty. They track rent and vacancy rates.
4.21
1k+
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem Summary
Homelessness Is a Housing Problem 90%
Homelessness rates don't track mental illness or poverty. They track rent and vacancy rates.
by Gregg Colburn 2022
4.21
1k+ ratings
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
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 90%
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
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 90%
Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.
by Michael Shellenberger 2021
4.01
4k+ 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 90%
America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.
by Douglas S. Massey 2007
4.24
134 ratings
Poverty, by America
by Matthew Desmond • 2023
Poverty in America persists by design, fueled by exploitation and welfare that flows to the top.
4.27
64k+
Poverty, by America Summary
Poverty, by America 90%
Poverty in America persists by design, fueled by exploitation and welfare that flows to the top.
by Matthew Desmond 2023
4.27
64k+ ratings
What We Owe Each Other
by Minouche Shafik • 2021
The safety net is fraying from childhood to old age. A single plan to rewire it.
3.85
1k+
What We Owe Each Other Summary
What We Owe Each Other 90%
The safety net is fraying from childhood to old age. A single plan to rewire it.
by Minouche Shafik 2021
3.85
1k+ 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 90%
Why urban revival is driving inequality and pushing out the middle class.
by Richard Florida 2017
3.49
1k+ ratings
The White Man's Burden
by William Easterly • 2006
$2.3 trillion in aid left the poorest no better off. A World Bank insider explains why.
3.83
6k+
The White Man's Burden Summary
The White Man's Burden 90%
$2.3 trillion in aid left the poorest no better off. A World Bank insider explains why.
by William Easterly 2006
3.83
6k+ ratings
Great Escape
by Angus Deaton • 2013
Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.
3.81
2k+
Great Escape Summary
Great Escape 90%
Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.
by Angus Deaton 2013
3.81
2k+ 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 89%
Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.
by Paul Collier 2007
3.85
8k+ ratings
Class War?
by Benjamin I. Page • 2009
Americans aren't fighting a class war. They agree on taxing the rich and expanding the safety net.
3.53
45
Class War? Summary
Class War? 89%
Americans aren't fighting a class war. They agree on taxing the rich and expanding the safety net.
by Benjamin I. Page 2009
3.53
45 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 89%
Poverty teaches a lesson that keeps you poor: your effort doesn't matter.
by J.D. Vance 2016
3.83
508k+ 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 89%
$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
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 89%
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
Utopia for Realists
by Rutger Bregman • 2014
Three policies sound absurd: free money, open borders, a fifteen-hour week. The evidence disagrees.
4.21
44k+
Utopia for Realists Summary
Utopia for Realists 89%
Three policies sound absurd: free money, open borders, a fifteen-hour week. The evidence disagrees.
by Rutger Bregman 2014
4.21
44k+ 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 89%
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
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 89%
How coalitions fuse racial and economic justice to win policy in cities.
by Marc Doussard 2022
5.00
3 ratings
Nowhere to Live
by James S. Burling • 2024
Why can't Americans afford homes? A century of rules made building them illegal.
4.00
12
Nowhere to Live Summary
Nowhere to Live 89%
Why can't Americans afford homes? A century of rules made building them illegal.
by James S. Burling 2024
4.00
12 ratings
Respect in a World of Inequality
by Richard Sennett • 2003
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
3.69
244
Respect in a World of Inequality Summary
Respect in a World of Inequality 89%
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
by Richard Sennett 2003
3.69
244 ratings
Common Sense
by Joel Greenblatt • 2020
The same incentive logic that picks stocks can fix schools, wages, and banks.
3.65
276
Common Sense Summary
Common Sense 89%
The same incentive logic that picks stocks can fix schools, wages, and banks.
by Joel Greenblatt 2020
3.65
276 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
American Apartheid
by Douglas S. Massey • 1993
The ghetto was engineered. Segregation, not class or culture, makes black poverty permanent.
4.13
2k+
American Apartheid Summary
American Apartheid 89%
The ghetto was engineered. Segregation, not class or culture, makes black poverty permanent.
by Douglas S. Massey 1993
4.13
2k+ ratings
The Submerged State
by Suzanne Mettler • 2011
Half of Americans who use government programs say they never have. That gap is no accident.
3.88
267
The Submerged State Summary
The Submerged State 89%
Half of Americans who use government programs say they never have. That gap is no accident.
by Suzanne Mettler 2011
3.88
267 ratings
The Great Divide
by Joseph E. Stiglitz • 2015
Inequality isn't fate; it's a policy choice, and the architects designed it for themselves.
3.82
1k+
The Great Divide Summary
The Great Divide 89%
Inequality isn't fate; it's a policy choice, and the architects designed it for themselves.
by Joseph E. Stiglitz 2015
3.82
1k+ ratings
The Two Percent Solution
by Matt Miller • 2003
America's biggest domestic problems cost two percent of GDP to fix. That's the whole argument.
3.98
89
The Two Percent Solution Summary
The Two Percent Solution 89%
America's biggest domestic problems cost two percent of GDP to fix. That's the whole argument.
by Matt Miller 2003
3.98
89 ratings
The Trouble with Diversity
by Walter Benn Michaels • 2006
The left traded class war for culture war, and the rich couldn't believe their luck.
3.59
516
The Trouble with Diversity Summary
The Trouble with Diversity 89%
The left traded class war for culture war, and the rich couldn't believe their luck.
by Walter Benn Michaels 2006
3.59
516 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
626
How the Other Half Banks Summary
How the Other Half Banks 89%
Banks get public support but exclude the poor. The public option that restores the social contract.
by Mehrsa Baradaran 2015
4.09
626 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 89%
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
by Loïc Wacquant 2004
4.21
277 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 89%
How pawnshops and payday lenders turned the working poor into a multi-billion dollar market.
by Gary Rivlin 2010
3.71
1k+ 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 89%
The homeless die ten times faster. A Boston doctor found that trust is the only cure.
by Tracy Kidder 2023
4.34
11k+ ratings
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