Nickel and Dimed

Nickel and Dimed cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Buy online
Technical
  • ID: 605
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780965187701
  • Published: 2001-01-01
  • Formats: 25
  • Reviews: 2

In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich embarks on an eye-opening journey to understand the lives of America's working poor. Posing as a low-wage worker, she takes on jobs as a waitress, house cleaner, and Walmart employee, revealing the struggles and indignities faced by those struggling to make ends meet. Ehrenreich's firsthand account sheds light on the systemic issues that keep millions of Americans trapped in poverty, offering a powerful critique of the economic policies that perpetuate inequality. Through her experiences, Ehrenreich highlights the resilience and dignity of the working poor, while also exposing the harsh realities of low-wage labor. Her investigation is both a personal and political journey, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about work, poverty, and the American Dream.

Reviews
A Little Blog of Books · 2020-02-02
eye-opening 4.50

This book is a gripping account of the struggles faced by low-wage workers, highlighting the harsh realities of survival on minimum wage. The narrative is both eye-opening and deeply moving, offering a stark look at the challenges of the working poor.

The reviewer found this book to be an eye-opening exploration of the daily struggles faced by those working in low-wage jobs. They appreciate how the author immerses herself in various roles to provide a firsthand account of the difficulties and indignities of living on such a meager income. The reviewer also notes that the book's relevance has not diminished over time, as many of the issues it addresses continue to plague the working poor today. They commend the author for her courage and honesty in exposing these harsh realities, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the plight of the working class.


Quick quotes

    An impressive and still relevant piece of undercover journalism about the realities of minimum wage work.

    The narrative is both eye-opening and deeply moving.

    The book's relevance has not diminished over time.

The New York Times · Barbara Ehrenreich · 2001-01-01
enlightening 4.00

The book provides a raw and eye-opening look at the struggles of low-wage workers, highlighting the harsh realities of living on minimum wage. The author's firsthand experiences offer a compelling narrative that underscores the systemic issues within the American labor market.

This book is a stark and unflinching portrayal of the lives of those working minimum wage jobs. The author's decision to immerse herself in this world and document her experiences is both brave and informative. It's clear that the struggles she faced are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, systemic problem. The narrative is gripping and offers a unique perspective that is often overlooked in mainstream discussions about labor and economics. The author's insights are both powerful and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the true cost of low-wage work in America.


Quick quotes

    Serving in Florida. Mostly out of laziness, I decide to start my low-wage life in the town nearest ...

    A powerful statement on the need for doing ...

    Ehrenreich's analysis has fatal flaws.