Poverty, by AmericaPoverty, by America
What it's about
The United States is the richest country on earth and has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted, argues that it persists because the rest of us benefit from it: through low wages, high rents, bank fees, and tax breaks that mostly help the well-off. He calls on readers to become 'poverty abolitionists'.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list and won the Goodreads Choice Award for nonfiction. It's short, clear and challenging.
You'll love it if you liked
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Behind the Beautiful ForeversGood to know
It's an argument more than reportage. Some economists dispute its numbers and solutions.
By the numbers
- Readers80 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller63 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz13 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #15 of the 44 politics books we rank
- #30 of the 119 science and ideas books we rank
- #87 of the 481 new books we rank
- #497 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Thought-provoking
More by Matthew Desmond
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How to Be an Antiracist
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Quick answers
Is Poverty, by America worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list and won the Goodreads Choice Award for nonfiction. It ranks #497 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 78.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Poverty, by America about?
The United States is the richest country on earth and has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted, argues that it persists because the rest of us benefit from it: through low wages, high rents, bank fees, and tax breaks that mostly help the well-off. He calls on readers to become 'poverty abolitionists'.
How long does it take to read Poverty, by America?
About 8 hours (305 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Poverty, by America won?
Goodreads Choice (nonfiction) winner (2023).
What should I read after Poverty, by America?
If you liked it, try Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America by George Packer or Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo.