Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City is a powerful book that dives deep into the realities of poverty, eviction, and income inequality in America. Matthew Desmond’s groundbreaking work brings to light the harsh realities of living as a renter in an increasingly expensive rental market. Through his research, interviews, and personal experiences, he brings to life the struggles of those who are most affected by economic injustice. This book is an eye-opening account of the hardships faced by many families today who struggle to make ends meet in an unaffordable rental market. By highlighting the stories of real people affected by eviction and poverty, Desmond sheds light on the urgent need for housing policy reform. With compelling evidence and heartbreaking narratives, he paints a vivid picture of our current housing crisis and makes a compelling case for change. Evicted is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of poverty and inequality in America today.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City Review
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City is an eye-opening book that provides readers with a deep understanding of poverty and economic exploitation in the United States. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond, this book takes a hard look at how eviction has become a normal part of life for millions of Americans. It explores the lives of eight families who are struggling to keep their homes, as well as landlords and policy makers who have profited from their misfortune. Through vivid storytelling and extensive research, this book shows how eviction has become an engine of inequality in American cities.
Key Features:
- Explores the lives of eight families facing eviction
- Uses vivid storytelling to illustrate the human cost of poverty
- Provides an in-depth analysis of economic exploitation in America’s cities
- Examines how landlords and policy makers profit from eviction
- Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
In Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Matthew Desmond takes readers on an emotional journey through the lives of eight families facing eviction. With vivid detail and heartbreaking stories, he illustrates how poverty and economic exploitation have become commonplace in our cities. He also offers a detailed examination of how landlords and policy makers have profited from the misfortune of others. Finally, this book reveals how little protection is offered to those living on the edge of survival. An important read for anyone interested in understanding the realities of poverty in America, Evicted is sure to leave you feeling informed and inspired to make change.
Product Details
Product | Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City |
---|---|
Author | Matthew Desmond |
Published date | March 14, 2017 |
Publisher | Crown/Archetype |
ISBN-10 | 0553447459 |
ISBN-13 | 9780553447453 |
Pages | 432 pages |
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City provides a comprehensive overview of the eviction crisis in America. It offers an in-depth look at how poverty, race, and government policies have shaped our current system.
2. The book is well researched and comprehensive, with data from over 500 interviews, as well as public records and court documents.
3. It brings to light stories of individuals who are struggling to survive amidst the harsh realities of our housing system.
4. By connecting the dots between policy, power structures, and individual experiences, this book gives readers an understanding of the causes and consequences of evictions.
5. The author offers solutions to this crisis that are both realistic and achievable.
Cons:
1. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City can be dense and overwhelming at times due to its sheer amount of information.
2. It relies heavily on narrative accounts, which may not appeal to those looking for more scholarly analysis or hard facts about eviction rates in different cities across the country.
3. Some readers might find it difficult to empathize with some of the characters due to their frequent criminal activities or other questionable behavior.
4. With such a broad scope, it can be challenging for readers to fully grasp all the nuances of this complex issue and its solutions.
5. Although the author does offer recommendations for policy change, there’s no guarantee that any of these solutions will come to fruition anytime soon given the current political climate in America today.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning more about social injustice in America today. Its comprehensive research and compelling narratives make this book a must read for anyone wanting to understand why eviction happens and what we can do about it. At times sobering but ultimately hopeful, this book is a call to action for us all to make change now before it’s too late!
Who are They for
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City is a powerful exposé of one of the most pressing issues facing America today. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matthew Desmond takes readers deep into the lives of eight families who are struggling to survive on the edge of poverty, as they fight to keep their homes in the face of eviction. Through vivid personal stories and incisive analysis, Evicted illuminates how a lack of affordable housing has devastating consequences for individuals, their families and communities. Desmond delves into the complex economic and social forces that shape these lives, uncovering how evictions have become a business model that allows landlords to maximize profits while tenants pay an exorbitant price. This eye-opening book reveals a forgotten sector of our society, revealing the true cost of poverty and inequality in America today.
My Experience for Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
I never knew what I was getting myself into when I picked up Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Little did I know that this book would completely change my perspective on poverty and its effects on our cities!
With gripping stories of eight families facing eviction, Matthew Desmond paints a vivid picture of how these people’s lives have been shaped by their financial hardships. He also reveals the inhuman practices landlords use to manipulate their tenants and maximize profits.
The most eye-opening part for me was learning about the eviction industry. It turns out that there are businesses dedicated to evicting people from their homes, often with little regard for the laws or morality. This made me realize just how much power landlords have over their tenants — it’s really alarming!
What I found most inspiring about Evicted is how Desmond offers practical solutions to address poverty and eviction in America. He shares his experience working with local organizations and provides concrete steps we can take as individuals to help those in need.
Overall, reading Evicted has been an education like no other. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding poverty and its effects on our society.
What I don’t Like
Product Disadvantages:
1. The book is deeply researched, but sometimes the research can be overwhelming and hard to follow.
2. Evicted does not provide much practical advice for those impacted by eviction.
3. It does not explore alternative housing solutions or legal strategies for fighting evictions.
4. The stories of real people are heartbreaking, which can be difficult to read and digest.
5. The author’s writing style can be dry and academic.
How to Tackle Poverty and Profit in the American City
Do you want to make a difference in the fight against poverty and inequality in America? Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, written by renowned sociologist Matthew Desmond, is an eye-opening guide to understanding the complexities of poverty, injustice, and economic exploitation.
This book is an essential read for anyone looking to understand how eviction impacts people’s lives on both an individual and societal level. It contains an invaluable wealth of knowledge about how landlords exploit tenants, how cities fail their residents, and the steps needed to tackle poverty and profit in the American City.
The first step towards tackling poverty is understanding its root causes. In Evicted, Desmond reveals how discrimination based on race and class drives up rent prices and leaves people with fewer options for affordable housing. To combat this problem, he recommends that cities create policies that support renters, such as rent control and tenant protections.
The next step is to find solutions that work for everyone. Desmond suggests that cities should implement public programs that provide access to quality housing while also preserving landlord profits. Such programs might include “just cause” eviction laws, which protect tenants from being evicted without a valid reason; rent stabilization laws, which limit rent increases; and public housing vouchers, which provide financial assistance to low-income families.
Finally, it’s important to recognize that eviction isn’t just an individual problem—it affects entire communities as well. Desmond argues for greater investment in neighborhoods where poverty is concentrated so that residents can benefit from resources such as job training programs, health care clinics, child care centers, and other social services. He also calls for cities to invest in better infrastructure, including safe streets and reliable public transportation.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City offers a comprehensive look at how we can tackle poverty and profit in America’s cities. By utilizing Desmond’s insights on how to address these issues at the local level, we can make sure no one has to suffer through the injustice of homelessness or economic exploitation ever again.
Questions about Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
What is Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City?
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City is a groundbreaking study of one of the most important social problems facing America today – eviction. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond, it provides an unprecedented look into the lives of low-income renters navigating the challenging rental market, as well as landlords who exploit it. It offers a powerful testament to the consequences of our nation’s deep economic inequality.
Who should read Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City?
Anyone looking to gain a better understanding of poverty, housing insecurity, and economic inequality in America should read Evicted. The book shines a light on how these issues disproportionately affect people of color, women, and other marginalized communities in our country. It also serves as essential reading for policy makers, activists, and anyone looking to make a difference in their community.
What topics does Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City cover?
Evicted covers a range of topics related to poverty and housing insecurity in America, including eviction law, racial disparities, homelessness, public assistance programs, and more. With vivid storytelling and thoughtful analysis, it paints a comprehensive picture of the current state of affairs – from families struggling to keep a roof over their heads to landlords cashing in on their desperation.

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.