Rating: 
Summary: Save your money (Read it at the library)
Review: Ehrenreich's novella is anecdotally interesting. The experiment is supposedly 'scientific,' (and the fact that she has a doctorate indicates that she should be familiar with the scientific process) but be prepared for a blatantly leftist orientation that colors the story and her conclusions.Ehrenreich cannot seem to accept the idea that maybe individuals from a different culture have a different outlook on life, live according to different values, and get pissed off at different things than she would. I share Ehrenreich's displeasure at the way in which some low-skilled laborers are treated (by both customers and bosses); however, this rudeness is not relegated to low-skilled industries. You can find a rude boss or customer anywhere--it does not necessarily lead to a scathing "expose" of minimum wage jobs; nor does it lead to a call for government intervention. Also, Ehrenreich has a habit of condescendingly forcing her comparatively upper-class 'sensibility' upon those she perceives as her lower-class coworkers (whether or not the 'advice' is needed or correct). The holier-than-thou attitude is infuriating, because Ehrenreich mostly comes across as disinterested and unprofessional. Each incident shows her inability to truly understand (and therefore relay accurately and fairly) the individuals' stories. She seems to expect her coworkers to worship her words of wisdom, and alter their life plans accordingly. The individuals' stories are interesting. They would have been much more interesting without the leftist slant of Ehrenreich's book. I give it one star for the potentiality of the subject matter. Done right, this idea would be a good way to look at the culture of minimum wage jobs. I would recommend saving your money on this book, though, and simply reading it at a library--the amount of literary fluff cuts down the reading time.
Rating: 
Summary: I could not put this book down
Review: A girl I work with had this book and told me that I should get a copy to read. She thought I would like it.
She was right. I really liked reading this book. It was a fantastic read. I realize that working people struggle even more than what the author goes through. I am a working person. A lot of the stories in this book were ones I could identify with. I am glad this book was written and I think overall the author did a good job.
Rating:
Summary: leftist rant
Review: This was a really great premise, but was scattered, shallow and turned quickly into a naive rant. This woman is out of touch with reality. It is a shame, as a true adventurer could do this and come out with a gem. She is an academic snob, who can't write in logical sequence, and should stick to her biology. Even her co-workers were not impressed! A bore, from a well intentioned but a clearly 'out of her depth' writer. Save your change, folks, and spend your silver elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Thoughtful and provocotive
Review: Imperfect as an empirical study, but really highlights the impossibility of living on minimum wage. Certainly dispells the idea of the lazy, poor, working class.
Rating: 
Summary: Mundaneness Personified
Review: Many people believe that hard work and persistance will get them to where they want to be in society. The truth of the matter is, that where individuals end up corresponds directly to where it is that they began. It seems that in the American society, once you fall down it is near to impossible to get back on your feet. Ehrenreich deserves much credit for her willingness and determination to experience first-hand what low-wage workers must go through each and every day. Somehow though, I don't feel that she gave her research her full dedication. Instead of writing numerous footnotes about statistics and inquiring about the personal problems of her coworkers, I would've been more satisfied with the documentary if she would have had the guts to take action when witnessing the mistreatment of the working poor. I was especially upset with the fact that she allowed these individuals to lend her the helping hand, when it truth, she had a comfortable home to return to after her project was complete. I was however, very impressed her literary abilities. As the reader, you feel as though you are slaving away with her, just trying to make a living. Through her many "unskilled" jobs, I realized all that I take for granted...all that everyone takes for granted. We don't realize that all the resources we use to make our lives easier is because of these anonymous individuals. I admire them for all that they accomplish, because very few of us could live in such a manner without being discouraged or simply deciding to quit. I personally hope that after seeing what these under-paid workers must go through (the lowest paid jobs are some of the most strenuous), that Ehrenreich did something to take matters into her own hands. If she didn't, I hope that her book helped people to open their eyes and realize that somebody has to step up and stand up for these individuals rights. One day, that could very well be you. Overall, I felt that Nickel and Dimed stated the obvious, getting by in America is not easy, and until we do something to bring about change, it never will be.
Rating:
Summary: Author is open about her biases, but they pervade the book
Review: I applaud Ehrenreich for being up-front about her biases. However, there was just too much of things like off-hand Marx quotations and terminology, fantasizing about poisoning a client because his/her house contained conservative books (p109), etc. Pure venom, occasionally related to the surrounding content of the book, spewed at ordinary middle-class Americans. If you like the New York Times editorial page, you'll probably just skim right past this stuff. If you are looking for a serious book about the plight of america's poor, skip this one. There must be something better out there than this. The factual content isn't worth wading through the vitriol.
Rating:
Summary: What an amazing book!
Review: I had to read this book for a school assignment- I had no idea that this book would REALLY make me think long and hard about how lucky I am to be able to attend college, and as a result hopefully provide a better life for myself. So many people don't have the opportunity to do so...Just like after 9/11, everyone American-born woman was thankful to have been born in America rather then in Afghanistan. This book had the same impact on me-just stop for one minute and be thankful for everything I have. She really did a wonderful job of articulating the struggles of the poor. I encourage everyone to read this book-I plan on holding onto this book and making my future kids read it when they are contemplating whether or not they want to go to college-There is no chance of getting ahead for the unskilled and uneducated in America today. Poverty is a societal problem, not necessarily a reflection of a persons worth! Read this book and never forget that with a stroke of bad luck it could be you at the bottom, and no one at the top will care about you either! If Pres Bush could read past a third grade level, I would recommend he (and his colleagues) read this book and rethink policy...we can win a war in Iraq in 3 weeks but we can't win the war on poverty in our own country! Too bad the poor don't sweat and bleed oil!
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting idea that gets mired in leftist demagoguery
Review: The premise of this book is interesting and the author is reasonably successful at portraying the plight of the working poor. Unfortunately, the book degenerates into a lengthy and disingenuous leftist diatribe. This book would be much more persuasive if told from a more objective point of view.
Rating:
Summary: So much for the American Dream....
Review: Wow! There's a huge, gray elephant in the living room and Barbara Ehrenreich tripped over it and ran out and told the neighbors! Thank God someone finally stepped up to the plate and told the truth about what's been going on economically in the United States for the past 20 years. As horrifying as this book is, however, it is far scarier to note that these living conditions are not merely suffered by the "lower class." "Decent, middle-class" folks live this reality ever single day in America. I am absolutely amazed reading these reviews that most people think that these experiences are only for the "poor." I am reasonably young, attractive, and college-educated and I graduated from college in 1991 and I am still not able to "make a living." I wear a suit, I look great, I appear just as affluent, if not moreso than some of the millionaires who shop in the stores that I frequent after I'm done working at my $8.00 an hour job in affluent Northern New Jersey. But I am one of the nation's poor, because, quite frankly, rent would cost about 60% of my income, which is the true definition of poverty, if you follow basic economic calculations. When you're taking home $300 a week and rent is $1,000 a month...there's a problem. Hey everybody--I'm 35 and I still live with my parents. Many people consider that to be a joke from late-night TV but it's the REALITY of my life. And, unfortunatley, that's the reality of the lives of millions of others, educated or not, in this country. People consider me, and others like myself to be "Gen-X Slackers" or "Neo-Hippies" because we gag on the idea of working 9-6 every day in a corporation and only getting 10 days a year off combined sick/vacation time. The lower and middle class of this country is seriously burnt out and spent serving gravy and fat to the wealthy. What do we have to show for it? Maxed out credit cards and huge medical bills because most of us don't get health insurance. They call this the land of the free and the home of the brave? Does any thinking person seriously buy that anymore? Or did you have the time to read this review at all, as you were warming up your 5th box of Kraft Macaroni n' Cheese this month, lamenting the $2.00 a gallon gas hike and your 16th pink-slip? Thanks again, Barbara Ehrenreich, for blaring that big, fat horn. Everyone's up, and the coffee smells strong....
Rating:
Summary: The sign of a good book
Review: I hope Ms. Ehrenreich is basking in the accolades she deserves. She has accomplished the dream of every writer: who cares whether or not your readers agree with you as long as they read your work and talk (argue, debate, shout) about it. 443 reviews? Now that's success.
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