Graham G. (Foucault) reviewed on 9/14/2007 + 27 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 7

Considering myself as someone who pays attention to the "alternative" media, not much of this book came as a big surprise to me. I do think that it's a must-read for everyone, no matter what your class or financial status.

Ehrenreich, was ultimately not able to survive in the world of the working-poor she was investigating undercover. That's even with some advantages that many in that world do not have the luxury of, such as a car.

The biggest surprise to many might be that her "experiment" was conducted during Bill Clinton's presidency - a time of unsurpassed prosperity in the US. The author points out that prosperity results in higher property prices and rents, and so the poor are priced out of a home, leading to living in cars, sharing with others, and so on.

This book also admirably illustrates why the poor often do nothing to improve their circumstances once they get a job. They are made to feel worthless and fearful by a management style designed to turn the workforce into a malleable commodity. Once they are working, they often cannot afford to look for work elsewhere.

I was hoping for this to be a sensational expose, and I guess that for many it is. For me, though, it was an accurate journalistic account, but not full of new revelations.

Before you consider that trip to Wal-Mart (or consider whether it's wise to stand silent when one is proposed in your area), go out to eat or hire the "Merry Maids", you might want to read this first.

Ehrenreich has a very entertaining and informative website, containing, amongst other features, a blog and a guest commentary section.

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