Book Review: A People's History of Poverty in America

Running Head: BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1BOOK REVIEW
The purpose of the study is to analyse how the book “A People’s History of Poverty
in America” has highlighted the support of the government to the people of America
struggling with acute poverty. The book “A People’s History of Poverty in America” is a
commendable creation of the author Stephen Pimpare. Author’s aim was to show the real
picture of poverty in United States and propagate the public programs of the government to
aid poor people of US. Stephen Pimpare is well known for writing his reflections on the
social issues like poverty, homelessness, social injustice, and social policies by US
government. He is a professor of political science and social welfare policy in Yeshiva
College and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work.
The book “A People’s History of Poverty in America” contains nine chapters
(Midgley, 2009). It also includes an epilogue so that a large amount of information can be
organised thematically. The book covers varieties of topics which are- the distressful
situation the poor face, their characteristics, struggle, homelessness, the miserable lives of
women and children, malnutrition, unemployment, deaths due to famine, movements by the
poor for the provision of their basic rights (Midgley, 2009). He has also highlighted the
concern of the US government to eradicate poverty, the evolution of the policies for aiding
the poor, the relief services by the government. Finally, he has provided some suggestions to
remove poverty and inequality from US (Pimpare & Harris, 2013).
The book is inspired by the New Press "People's History Series" which was
edited by Howard Zinn, which is applauded by the mass for aiding the poor section of
America to raise their voice and claim their rights (Galster, 2013). Other valuable
sources consulted by the author are-article published in the newspapers, journals
published by the government containing the details of the public programs, magazines,