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Nickel and Dimed: Undercover in Low-wage America
 

Nickel and Dimed

by Barbara Ehrenreich

Millions of Americans work full-time, year-round, for poverty level wages. Journalist Barbara Ehrenreich decided to join them in order to find out how anyone survives on six dollars an hour. So began a gruelling, hair-raising and darkly funny odyssey though the underworld of working America. (read review)

Top tags: nonfiction,  sociology,  economics,  non-fiction,  poverty (all tags)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Daina
  • Rated 5 stars

“This is a must-read for everyone who is not a minimum wage worker. I suppose that those who are living off min. wage know all this anyway. We need to be aware of the circumstances in which our fellow Americans are living and what is happening to class differences. This book has incited me to be more careful about where I put my money as a consumer and how I view or judge others. It has also aroused me to be more politically informed about issues that I can influence by my vote.”

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Didn’t Like It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
holysocks
  • Rated 1 stars

“I was really excited to read this book after hearing so many good things about it in the social sciences circles at school. It took me a few years before I finally read it and I was very disappointed. I feel like Ehrenreich really half assed the whole "experiment". She admittedly spent time at home which totally negates the whole idea. I was more impressed with Morgan Spurlock's go at it on his show 30 Days.”

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Community:
  • Rated 3.810127 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 3.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Patishil

    patishil said:

    “Aaw shucks! I was in the middle of this already when I lost this book in a funeral.
    I wish I could find this one on the shelf again. ”

    posted Thursday, April 10 2008
  • Christine Z

    christine z said:

    “Excellent journalism and investigation - Barbara brings us with her into the places she goes with such gritty, unsparing detail, you feel as if you are there, unable to wipe off the feeling of degradation and the hand-to-mouth existence shouldered by so many low-wage or minimum wage workers. ”

    posted Saturday, April 5 2008
  • Aqueelah I

    aqueelah i said:

    “ASA, This book is for those in corporate and high government, who have not a clue-what it means to "not get by". If anyone from a more commfortable level of acheivement really wants to know, or to help, read this book with truly an ear to understanding the plight of so very many. I personally have been in a position of working three jobs at one time, even with a college degree and sought after skill. It is outrageous that those, with far lesser posibilities for mobility- are paid such a unliving wage. Where is the shame of this country? I truly recommend this book, to encourage those who at grass roots levels, may work to rectify some of these problems. Or, those at higher levels who may legislate to rectify the problem. As for those living this nightmare, they already know the problems and cannot read this book. They are too buy working 2-3 jobs!”

    posted Monday, January 21 2008
  • Shawn Lorette H

    shawn lorette h said:

    “I read this a few years ago. Its a MUST read to understand why some families aren't making it and why something needs to change either at the gov't level or the corporate level. Its disheartening to know that some people work two jobs and still can't make ends meet. Shawn Lorette”

    posted Tuesday, January 8 2008
  • JET

    jet said:

    “This was a great book to read in a book club. The commentary from everyone else's point of view was enlightening. One thing that I disagree with the author with is that I believe that employer's do have a right to run drug testing on their employee's. The tests are done to cover the employer's in any potential lawsuits. If a customer sues them for something the employee may have done, the employer can point out that they had done everything in their power to hire good workers, jmo.”

    posted Tuesday, August 7 2007
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