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The Pulitzer Prize–winning, bestselling author of Evicted reimagines the debate on poverty, making a new and bracing argument about why it persists in America: because the rest of us benefit from it.

ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2023: The Washington Post, Time, Esquire, Newsweek, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Elle, Salon, Lit Hub, Kirkus Reviews

The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages?

In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow.

Elegantly written and fiercely argued, this compassionate book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem. It also helps us imagine solutions. Desmond builds a startlingly original and ambitious case for ending poverty. He calls on us all to become poverty abolitionists, engaged in a politics of collective belonging to usher in a new age of shared prosperity and, at last, true freedom.

Poverty, by America: Matthew Desmond

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond is a gripping and eye-opening account of poverty in America. Desmond spent years living in a Milwaukee housing project, immersing himself in the lives of the people who lived there. He tells their stories with compassion and understanding, shedding light on the systemic issues that keep people trapped in poverty.

Desmond's book is a powerful indictment of the American Dream. He shows how the system is stacked against the poor, making it nearly impossible for them to escape poverty. He also challenges the idea that poverty is a personal failing, arguing that it is a result of structural inequality.

Poverty, by America is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true nature of poverty in America. It is a powerful call to action for those who want to create a more just and equitable society.

Here are some of the key themes explored in Poverty, by America:

• The systemic nature of poverty: Desmond shows how poverty is not simply a personal failing, but rather a result of structural inequality. He argues that the system is stacked against the poor, making it nearly impossible for them to escape poverty.
• The impact of poverty on individuals: Desmond tells the stories of the people who live in poverty, showing how it affects their lives in every way. He writes about the struggles they face to find housing, food, and healthcare. He also shows how poverty can lead to crime, violence, and drug addiction.
• The need for systemic change: Desmond argues that the only way to end poverty is through systemic change. He calls for policies that address the root causes of poverty, such as affordable housing, job training, and education.

Poverty, by America is a powerful and moving book that will change the way you think about poverty. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true nature of poverty in America and who wants to create a more just and equitable society.