Broke in America

Seeing, Understanding, and Ending U.S. Poverty

By: Joanne Samuel Goldblum, Colleen Shaddox, Bomani Jones - foreword

Narrated by: Joanne Samuel Goldblum, Colleen Shaddox, JD Jackson

Water. Food. Housing. The most basic and crucial needs for survival, yet 40 percent of people in the United States don't have the resources to get them. With key policy changes, we could eradicate poverty in this country within our lifetime - but we need to get started now.

Nearly 40 million people in the United States live below the poverty line - about $26,200 for a family of four. Low-income families and individuals are everywhere, from cities to rural communities. While poverty is commonly seen as a personal failure, or a deficiency of character or knowledge, it's actually the result of bad policy.

Public policy has purposefully erected barriers that deny access to basic needs, creating a society where people can easily become trapped - not because we lack the resources to lift them out, but because we are actively choosing not to. Poverty is close to inevitable for low-wage workers and their children, and a large percentage of these people, despite qualifying for it, do not receive government aid.

From Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox, Broke in America offers an eye-opening and galvanizing look at life in poverty in this country: how circumstances and public policy conspire to keep people poor, and the concrete steps we can take to end poverty for good.

In clear, accessible prose, Goldblum and Shaddox detail the ways the current system is broken and how it's failing so many of us. They also highlight outdated and ineffective policies that are causing or contributing to this unnecessary problem.

Every chapter features action items listeners can use to combat poverty - both nationwide and in our local communities, including the most effective public policies you can support and how to work hand-in-hand with representatives to affect change.

So far, our attempted solutions have fallen short because they try to "fix" poor people rather than address the underlying problems. Fortunately, it's much easier to fix policy than people. Essential and timely, Broke in America offers a crucial road map for securing a brighter future.

©2021 Joanne Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“This listen will educate - and infuriate. The authors and JD Jackson describe how poverty could be eradicated and why it hasn't been.... Jackson conveys just the right amount of exasperation, frustration, and understanding to make this a compelling listen. It's never preachy or academic.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“An exploration of why so many Americans are struggling financially.... A down-to-earth overview of the causes and effects of poverty and possible remedies.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“...thoroughly accessible to the non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of poverty in the United States and what can be done about it.” (Midwest Book Review)

Narration was a bit slow.

I don't process audial information quickly, so I never increase the listening speed, but I bumped this one up to 1.2x.

Necessary book to understand poverty in the USA

This book is a necessity to understand the struggles of poverty in the USA. It outlines systemic issues, crime, education, labor, homeowning, etc. I like that with each section, there is a call to action and solutions suggested so you're not left wandering aimlessly of how to fix the issue.

Overall, great book, but it is sad to listen to these stories.

New look that addresses the elephant in th room

This publication addresses the challenges and injustice of poverty, regardless of race. When everyone is fighting among themselves they miss the designer suited theft.

The humanity and empathy along with a potential solution is breathtaking

A must read

If you want to learn more about poverty and possible solutions, this is a great book to read. I’ve witnessed poverty firsthand. Growing up in poverty and “making it out”, it’s good to learn more ways in which I can be a helping hand. Taking some of their recommended action steps can bring change to a community, even if it’s a small change. I recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in helping people in poverty.

The Research done by the authors.

Required reading for anyone who wants a clear and concise breakdown of the effects of Poverty.