"This is clearly one of those seminal books that every American should read and read now." –
The New York Times Book Review
" An essential book.... It should be required reading not just for every member of Congress, but for every eligible voter." –
The Washington Post Book World "Sensitive, sometimes heart-rending ... A vivid portrait of the struggle of the working poor to acquire steady, decently paid employment." -
Commentary "Insightful and moving.... Shipler writes with enormous grace [and] he captures the immense frustration endured by the working poor as few others have." –
The Nation "Welcome and important.... Shipler manages to see all aspects of poverty–psychological, personal, societal–and examine how they're related.... There is much here to ponder for conservatives and liberals alike." –
The Seattle Times