36 pages • 1 hour read
Kathryn J. Edin, H. Luke Shaefer$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
$2.00 a Day by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer examines extreme poverty in the United States, focusing on families surviving on less than $2 per person, per day. Following welfare reform in 1996, cash welfare dwindled, pushing many into such destitution. Through the lives of eight families, the book highlights their struggles with employment, housing, and survival, advocating for systemic reform. The book discusses topics including abuse, trauma, and exploitation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
$2.00 a Day by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer is a powerful investigation into severe poverty in the U.S., praised for its compelling storytelling and thorough research. While some critics find its policy solutions lacking depth, the personal narratives effectively highlight the human impact of extreme financial hardship. The book is a significant contribution to social policy literature.
Who Should Read $2.00 a Day?
Readers of $2.00 a Day by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer will appreciate in-depth explorations of poverty and social issues. Comparable to Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed and Matthew Desmond’s Evicted, this book is suited for those interested in economic disparities, public policy, and sociology.