54 pages 1 hour read

Barbara Ehrenreich

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2001

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, Barbara Ehrenreich undertakes a social experiment to determine if one can survive on low-wage jobs across three cities: Key West, Portland, and Minneapolis. She documents her experiences working as a waitress, dietary aide, house cleaner, and Wal-Mart clerk, highlighting the challenges of low pay, strenuous labor conditions, and insufficient living arrangements. The book addresses themes of economic disparity and the exploitation of low-wage workers. The book discusses drug tests and personality tests during the hiring process.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed garners praise for its unflinching exploration of low-wage work in America. Readers commend its immersive journalism and empathetic portrayal of workers' struggles. Some critique it for an occasionally detached perspective and oversimplifications. Overall, it's valued for its eye-opening, thought-provoking narrative and social commentary.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Nickel and Dimed?

Readers who enjoy Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich typically relish investigative journalism and social critique. They are often drawn to works like Evicted by Matthew Desmond and The Working Poor by David K. Shipler, seeking compelling insights into economic hardships and societal inequities.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Sociology

Poverty

Social Justice

Themes

Society: Class

Society: Economics

Society: Globalization

Genre

Education