Poverty in the United States by Michael Harrington A groundbreaking work that examines the persistence of poverty in the US, despite economic growth post-World War II, influencing social policy including President Johnson's Great Society.
The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Analyzes racial stratification in the US, framing the systemic oppression as a caste system that perpetuates poverty and social inequity.
Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond An in-depth look at the struggles low-income families face in Milwaukee to maintain housing amidst exploitative landlord practices.
How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America’s Heartland by Jonathan M Metzl Explores how poor whites often support political agendas that undermine their own health and economic interests due to racial resentments.
What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee Discusses how racism is leveraged for political gain in the US, detrimentally affecting all citizens by undermining public goods and services.
A classic novel that vividly depicts the impact of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl on American farmers, highlighting their struggle for survival and dignity.
Follows a group of "Urban Indians" in Oakland, California, exploring how poverty and marginalization affect their lives amidst a backdrop of cultural resurgence.
Chronicles the life of Francie Nolan, the daughter of Irish immigrants in early 20th-century New York, providing a poignant view of the immigrant poverty experience.
Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc Offers a deep dive into a family in the Bronx over several years, illustrating the challenges and resilience of those living in poverty.
A memoir that captures the trials of a Mexican American family in a Texas border city during the 1980s, focusing on the intersection of poverty, culture, and identity.