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The Life You Can Save
by Peter Singer • 2009
Child drowning: you'd wade in. Child dying of malaria: $10 saves her. The moral math is identical.
4.15
7k+
The Life You Can Save Summary
The Life You Can Save 89%
Child drowning: you'd wade in. Child dying of malaria: $10 saves her. The moral math is identical.
by Peter Singer 2009
4.15
7k+ 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 89%
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
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
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 88%
A sociologist ran a Chicago gang for a day. The books were cleaner than he expected.
by Sudhir Venkatesh 2008
4.07
26k+ 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
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
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 88%
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 88%
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
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 88%
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
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
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
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
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
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
Having Nothing, Possessing Everything
by Michael Mather • 2018
A pastor stopped tallying what his poor neighborhood lacked. What he found rewrote his calling.
4.39
241
Having Nothing, Possessing Everything Summary
Having Nothing, Possessing Everything 87%
A pastor stopped tallying what his poor neighborhood lacked. What he found rewrote his calling.
by Michael Mather 2018
4.39
241 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
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 87%
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
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
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
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
Poor People
by Fyodor Dostoevsky • 1846
A penniless clerk's letters to his neighbor become his lifeline, until a wealthy suitor proposes.
3.77
40k+
Poor People Summary
Poor People 87%
A penniless clerk's letters to his neighbor become his lifeline, until a wealthy suitor proposes.
by Fyodor Dostoevsky 1846
3.77
40k+ ratings
Money Changes Everything
by Jenny Offill • 2007
Twenty-two writers reveal what money did to their marriages, their morals, and their sense of self.
3.52
182
Money Changes Everything Summary
Money Changes Everything 87%
Twenty-two writers reveal what money did to their marriages, their morals, and their sense of self.
by Jenny Offill 2007
3.52
182 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
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 87%
Life expectancy doubled, incomes soared, and inequality became the price of progress.
by Angus Deaton 2013
3.81
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
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 87%
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
No Shame in My Game
by Katherine S. Newman • 1999
The job everyone ridicules might be the best shot at dignity for America's working poor.
3.75
466
No Shame in My Game Summary
No Shame in My Game 87%
The job everyone ridicules might be the best shot at dignity for America's working poor.
by Katherine S. Newman 1999
3.75
466 ratings
Toxic Charity
by Robert D. Lupton • 2011
How to stop hurting the people you want to help: swap handouts for dignity and investment.
3.94
5k+
Toxic Charity Summary
Toxic Charity 87%
How to stop hurting the people you want to help: swap handouts for dignity and investment.
by Robert D. Lupton 2011
3.94
5k+ ratings
On Social Justice
by Basil the Great • 2009
Your extra coat is stolen from the naked. A fourth-century bishop on wealth, hoarding, and love.
4.52
646
On Social Justice Summary
On Social Justice 87%
Your extra coat is stolen from the naked. A fourth-century bishop on wealth, hoarding, and love.
by Basil the Great 2009
4.52
646 ratings
Happy are You Poor
by Thomas Dubay • 1981
Radical poverty is not for saints alone. It is the normal Christian life, and it is joyful.
4.39
727
Happy are You Poor Summary
Happy are You Poor 87%
Radical poverty is not for saints alone. It is the normal Christian life, and it is joyful.
by Thomas Dubay 1981
4.39
727 ratings
Down and Out in Paris and London
by George Orwell • 1933
Broke in Paris, Orwell descends into the invisible world of dishwashers and tramps.
4.09
103k+
Down and Out in Paris and London Summary
Down and Out in Paris and London 87%
Broke in Paris, Orwell descends into the invisible world of dishwashers and tramps.
by George Orwell 1933
4.09
103k+ ratings
When the Fireflies Dance
by Aisha Hassan • 2025
Exiled from bonded labor at a Lahore kiln, a boy must steal to free his family.
4.19
4k+
When the Fireflies Dance Summary
When the Fireflies Dance 87%
Exiled from bonded labor at a Lahore kiln, a boy must steal to free his family.
by Aisha Hassan 2025
4.19
4k+ 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
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 87%
Invisibility is inequality's deepest cut; the systems meant to heal it often cut deeper.
by Richard Sennett 2003
3.69
244 ratings
Bereketli Topraklar Üzerinde
by Orhan Kemal • 1954
Three men walk to the cotton mills carrying blankets on their backs and wages in their heads.
4.21
2k+
Bereketli Topraklar Üzerinde Summary
Bereketli Topraklar Üzerinde 87%
Three men walk to the cotton mills carrying blankets on their backs and wages in their heads.
by Orhan Kemal 1954
4.21
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 87%
Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.
by Michael Shellenberger 2021
4.01
4k+ ratings
Angela's Ashes
by Frank McCourt • 1996
Three dead siblings, a father who drinks the dole, and one boy's plan to reach America.
4.15
661k+
Angela's Ashes Summary
Angela's Ashes 87%
Three dead siblings, a father who drinks the dole, and one boy's plan to reach America.
by Frank McCourt 1996
4.15
661k+ 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 87%
$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
What Money Can't Buy
by Michael J. Sandel • 2012
When everything is up for sale, the price isn't the only thing we lose.
3.93
14k+
What Money Can't Buy Summary
What Money Can't Buy 87%
When everything is up for sale, the price isn't the only thing we lose.
by Michael J. Sandel 2012
3.93
14k+ ratings
America
by Chris Hedges • 2018
Addiction, casinos, and the death of work: the symptoms of late capitalism's terminal stage.
4.23
3k+
America Summary
America 87%
Addiction, casinos, and the death of work: the symptoms of late capitalism's terminal stage.
by Chris Hedges 2018
4.23
3k+ 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
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
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 87%
Poverty in America persists by design, fueled by exploitation and welfare that flows to the top.
by Matthew Desmond 2023
4.27
64k+ 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 87%
Some of the most disorderly figures on the sidewalk are also the ones preventing real crime.
by Mitchell Duneier 1999
4.15
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 87%
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
by Alexandra Natapoff 2018
4.16
441 ratings
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