So Rich, So Poor: Why It's So Hard to End Poverty in America - Softcover

Peter Edelman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1595589368 ISBN 13: 9781595589361

Publisher: The New Press, 2013

Synopsis

Income disparities in our wealthy nation are now wider than at any point since the Great Depression. The structure of today’s economy has stultified wage growth for half of America’s workers—with even worse results at the bottom and for people of color—while bestowing billions on those at the top.

In this accessible and inspiring analysis” (Angela Glover Blackwell), lifelong anti­ poverty advocate Peter Edelman assesses how the United States can have such an outsized number of unemployed and working poor despite important policy gains. He delves into what is happening to the people behind the statistics and takes a particular look at young people of color for whom the possibility of productive lives is too often lost on the way to adulthood. In a timely new introduction, Edelman discusses the significance of Obama’s reelection including the rediscovery of the word poverty” as well as the continuing attack on the poor from the right.

Engaging and informative” (William Julius Wilson), powerful and eloquent” (Wade Henderson), a national treasure composed by a wise man” (George McGovern), and a great source for summaries of our country’s antipoverty program” (Publishers Weekly), So Rich, So Poor is crucial reading for anyone who wants to understand the most critical American dilemma of the twenty-first century.

About this title

About the Author:

Peter Edelman is a professor at Georgetown University Law Center. A top adviser to Senator Robert F. Kennedy from 1964 to 1968, he went on to fill various roles in President Bill Clinton’s administration, from which he famously resigned in protest after Clinton signed the 1996 welfare reform legislation. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Review:

"If there is one essential book on the great tragedy of poverty and inequality in America, this is it. Peter Edelman is masterful on the issue. With a real world grasp of politics and the economy, Edelman makes a brilliantly compelling case for what can and must be done."
Bob Herbert

"Before we have one more discussion of how America can combat its persistent and growing levels of poverty, could everyone please read this book?"
Barbara Ehrenreich

"If you are a layperson, [So Rich, So Poor] is a chance to absorb more than you probably ever realized is at the heart of the fight against poverty; if you are someone who has long been involved in the fight against poverty, I have little doubt you will find new ideas, angles, or inspiration in these pages."
Greg Kaufmann, The Nation

"Provocative."
Bloomberg News

"[Edelman’s] compassionate and singular voice awakens our conscience and calls us to action."
Ethel Kennedy

About this edition

• Publisher: The New Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1595589368
• ISBN 13: 9781595589361
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 184