Evicted

by Matthew Desmond
Evicted cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Investigative Journalism
Technical
  • ID: 3877
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9780553447453
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2017-02-28
  • Reviews: 4

Evicted is a groundbreaking work by Princeton sociologist Matthew Desmond, which delves into the devastating cycle of poverty and eviction in modern America. Through the stories of eight families in Milwaukee, Desmond reveals the harsh realities of living on the economic margins and the profound impact of eviction on individuals and communities. The book is praised for its vivid storytelling and transformative insights into one of the most pressing social issues of our time. Winner of numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award, Evicted offers a compelling narrative that challenges our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation. Desmond's meticulous research and empathetic approach provide a fresh perspective on the centrality of home and the urgent need for systemic change.

Reviews
Sam Still Reading · Sam · 2024-12-17
thought-provoking 4.00

The book provides a deep dive into the lives of renters and landlords in America, highlighting the hardships they face. It is a well-researched and thought-provoking exploration of poverty.

Sam from Sam Still Reading commends the book for its thorough research and insightful exploration of the challenges faced by renters and landlords in America. They appreciate the depth of the analysis and the way the book sheds light on the systemic issues that contribute to poverty. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling read that offers a nuanced understanding of the complexities of housing and economic instability.

Quick quotes

    A deep dive into the life of renters (and a landlord) in America, and the hardships they face.

    Well-researched and thought-provoking exploration of poverty.

    Offers a nuanced understanding of the complexities of housing and economic instability.

Discovery Institute · 2024-09-16
critical 2.50

The book is criticized for offering little hope and being condescending towards the homeless. It is seen as a missed opportunity to provide constructive solutions.

The Discovery Institute's review is critical of the book, arguing that it presents a condescending view of the homeless and offers little hope for solutions. The reviewer believes the book could have provided more constructive insights and practical recommendations to address the issues it highlights. They find the lack of hope and the tone of the book to be its major shortcomings.

Quick quotes

    A Chronicle of Higher Education writer called Desmond 'sociology's next great hope.' One problem, though, is that Evicted offers almost no hope.

    A condescending view of the homeless.

    Missed opportunity to provide constructive solutions.

Gates Notes · Bill Gates · 2017-12-04
enlightening 4.50

The book is beautifully written and offers a deep understanding of poverty in America, making it a valuable read.

Bill Gates praises the book for its beautiful writing and its ability to provide a deep understanding of poverty in America. He finds the stories of the individuals featured in the book to be both moving and enlightening. Gates believes that the book is essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand the systemic issues surrounding poverty and housing instability.

Quick quotes

    It is beautifully written, thought-provoking.

    Well worth reading for anyone who wants to better understand poverty in America.

    Essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand the systemic issues surrounding poverty and housing instability.

The Guardian · 2016-04-07
eye-opening 4.50

The book highlights the immense stress eviction puts on families and the difficulty of saving money to stabilize their situations. It is a powerful and eye-opening account of poverty in America.

The Guardian's review emphasizes the profound impact of eviction on families, noting how it creates immense stress and makes it nearly impossible for individuals to save money and improve their situations. The reviewer praises the book for its compelling and eloquent writing, which brings to light the harsh realities faced by those living in precarious housing situations. They argue that the book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the systemic issues behind poverty in America.

Quick quotes

    It puts incredible stress on families.

    It prevents people from saving the comparatively small sums that would let them stabilise their situation.

    A powerful and eye-opening account of poverty in America.

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