Rating: 
Summary: An Eye-Opening Must-Read for all Americans
Review: There are many vantage points that one can write about our economic system from to illustrate the lack of sustainability we're creating for ourselves in America, but Barbara Ehrenreich arguably chooses the most effective route through the issue by going undercover to find out how America's millions of working poor get by from month to month. Besides describing in vivid detail the experience of struggling to get by on wages that so many of our largest employers pay, Ehrenreich opens your eyes to disturbing practices that are the norm in restaurants, hotels, cleaning services, and big box retailers across the country. Though I believe everyone can benefit from reading this book, those who will benefit most are those who already consider themselves liberal, and believe that they know the extent of the problem we've created in America -- this book will prove to you that you only know half the story, at best. This book will make you a better tipper, and it will make you think twice before you ever hire a cleaning service or shop at Wal-Mart again.
Rating:
Summary: Important Reading
Review: I read this book in a politics of poverty class. It is clear that she has an agenda as any writer does. This book would be an important antidote to conservative screaming about "personal responsibility" if only they would be willing to think about it. Of course one of the most important benefits of this book is it demonstrates a very important method for understanding the problems the poor face, not her trying to be a poor person, but actually talking with them and learning some about their lives. Mitchell Duneier in _Sidewalk_ does something similar as does Elliot Liebow in _Tell Them Who I Am_.
Ehrenreich's scathing portrait of isolated struggling mostly, women, trying to make ends meet is a surefire indictment of the quick fix our politicians continue to proffer of "making jobs." With full employment still leaving about 5% of people unemployed, we must look not just at "jobs" alone but at the quality of working conditions and wages which will determine whether jobs are really, or can ever be the solution.
Especially enjoyable was her visit to the revival. Religion can provide a certain a solace to those in problems, but her point about the obsession with the dead Christ on the Cross, as opposed to the philosophies that Christ espoused as a living teacher demonstrate a significant problem with our faith. If we look at his philosophy Christ assuredly said that we are without a doubt our "brother's keeper" and this is not limited to our brothers (and sisters though the male translators of the Bible seemed to neglect them as well) who come into the church searching for help. It is our position to seek out those in need and help them as he did in his ministry. He offered help to all and did not make it contingent upon them "following" him.
Our society is unique in the "Western" world in that we leave so many of our citizens to just scrape by and struggle with a far lower quality of life than those of us with wealth. Perhaps if we sought out those that we presume to "judge" as lazy or irresponsible, the way Ehrenreich searches them out, we might pursue humane policies based more upon human principles than upon economic principles.
Rating: 
Summary: eye-opening book makes one thankful
Review: Nickel and Dimed is a documentary of a middle-aged, middle-class writer that goes undercover in a variety of low-wage positions: waitress in a family restaurant, hotel and in-home maid, nursing home helper, and Wal-Mart associate. Her goal is to determine whether these common jobs could support a single person. These jobs challenge the author's expectations. She learns that no one can tell the difference between her and the other low-wage workers; all her education and upbringing do not distinguish her. She also had her belief confirmed that it is difficult to support one person, let alone a family, on minimum wage. Throughout all this, Barbara keeps us entertained, with the sometimes funny, sometimes depressing, anecdotes of her experiences.Much of the benefits that the professional classes take for granted - affordable healthcare and flexible hours for example - mare not offered to the low-wage worker. This consciousness-raising book delivers the news that America's poor are not lazy - they have a much harder lot than many of us can imagine. Some have criticized Ehrenreich for her background, but it gave her a better perspective because it was so different. Having experienced the benefits of an autonomous writing career allowed her to make a comparison between that and the near-dictatorial nature of low-wage work. Some of her co-workers seemed almost content with conditions that Barbara realized were inherently unfair. It took someone from a different milieu to recognize the injustices fully, and the author was in a position to express these thoughts to a large audience.
Rating:
Summary: Pitiless Conservatism
Review: The American right espouses 'compassionate' conservatism. Barbara Ehrenreich has tried to live by this vision - and found it not just wanting, but humiliating. As a healthy, intelligent woman on her own she tried hard to live with what she earned - around 7 $ per hour in 1999 - and failed. Not once - thrice - as a waitress in Miami, as scrubbing woman in Maine, and as a saleswoman in Minnesota. She tells the tale briskly, clearly, and deftly. Her book deserves to be read and pondered by all, but in particular by all those that cast aspersions on the poor, and like Dr. Higgins, chant: Why can't they be more like me? Her indictment is devastating: "The 'working poor' are in fact the major philanthropists of our society. They neglect their own children so that the children of others will be cared for; they live in substandard housing so that other homes will be shiny and perfect; they endure privation so that inflation will be low and stock prices high." The market system makes it easy for us to forget the poor, even as the conservative ideology provides the justification for doing so. Conservative politics undermine the role of state and ensure the status of the deserving rich. As a result, we lack the likes of Dickens and Steinbeck today. Thank God we still have Barbara Ehrenreich.
Rating:
Summary: What would Steinbeck say?
Review: Ehrenreich is a clever--and likeable--writer, and the intention here appears noble enough: to assume the role of an underpaid laborer and report first-hand on the economic struggles of the lower class. It's been done before, of course, but it always makes for good reading.
The book is insightful, entertaining, and informative, and it will, predictably, make liberals shudder with horror.
Conservatives won't get past the introduction.
Throughout the narrative, the reader is aware that Ehrenreich is a successful writer who will never have to worry about paying the weekly rent. This doesn't exactly undermine the credibility of the project, but I hoped to see something on the jacket about how the author contributed all of the proceeds from the book to the Salvation Army--or at least some grass roots organization that's fighting for workers' rights.
It's also irritating to read the gushing endorsements on the back cover and elsewhere about what an important social statement the book makes--all written by upscale, well-paid literary types who never missed a meal in their lives.
Nevertheless, it's timely to take a Steinbeck-ish look at the plight of the workers in America, and Ehrenreich does it with apparent good intentions.
Rating:
Summary: required reading: the "American Dream" debunked
Review: I tore through this book and would recommend it to anyone. It is a mix of politcal commentary/journalism, memoir, and travel diary. The working poor is the subject of this book, specifically, the myriad minefields awaiting anyone who lives in the U.S. and is struggling financially. Ehrenreich's observations show how intimately connected life factors can be: poverty and health; education and outlook; support systems and the breakdown of families due to societal problems. It is still fashionable to blame the poor for their condition, and the "American Dream" still has enough success stories to keep its stock value up. But the vast majority of working poor are living how the people in this book are. I believe this because I live in New York City and see for myself my own friends' and associates' lives, and how even with education, a supportive family and friend network, and a positive outlook, life can at times be excrutiatingly difficult. The divide between rich and poor grows ever wider in the U.S., and this book reveals in detail how wealth inequality affects a human life. It is shocking that a country as "advanced" and rich as the U.S. can not provide for its citizenry in a more humane fashion. Over time, the effects of not building a strong citizenry will come back to haunt this country. At this point in time, it apprears there is a working cadre sufficiently anesthetized to work for meager wages and fulfill their role at the bottom of the social heap. But lack of education, healthcare, lack of job preparedness and technological innovation will eventually become a burden on this society. The U.S. could be investing in its human resource and building a truly great nation. But clearly, as Ehrenreich's book shows, the working poor have been cast as "screw ups" who need to find the solutions themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific book, terrific writing
Review: I love this book. Some people seem to find it hard to believe that a person can't "get by" on minimum wage, or that people get stuck in low-paying jobs - some claim that "everyone starts at minimum wage in life, but they get promoted and make more", etc. That doesn't always happen, or even happen that often. Ms. Ehrenreich's book shows the struggles she faced in just a short term experiment, but imagine trying to do it for the long haul - there are other crises that occur in the lives of working people - such as, lack of medical insurance - a HUGE problem - and car troubles, to name a couple. In this book, Ms. Ehrenreich was working during the warmer months - God knows what she may have encountered during the winter in Maine or Minnesota!But this terrific book gives a glimpse into the lives of the working poor, even with everyone seemingly going right for Ms. Ehrenreich. By the way, several reviewers have claimed that she has 'contempt' for the poor, and has a snobby, yuppie-ish attitude. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't know why people make false allegations in a book review, I suspect it's to dissuade others from reading the book and deciding for themselves. Read this book, you'll be glad you did. And pass on a couple copies to your state reps, senators, etc. Teach them a few things. I look forward to future works by Barbara Ehrenreich after reading this - she's wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: Research has flaws
Review: The concept of this book intrigued me so I bought this book. A couple of my friends support families with minimum wage jobs and I just don't know how they do it. I just thought the research seemed a little flawed because I didn't feel she stuck around long enough to get more information from her coworkers about how their lives really were.
Rating:
Summary: Nickel and Dimed review
Review: After reading Nickel and Dimed I had a greater apprencience for the work force. I only being 16 years old haven't really truly been out there living on my own off my own salary. I have had the assistance of my family. I hadn't realized that getting a job could be so hard. I also hadn't known that with a job, or even two, sometimes there just isn't enough money to pay the bills. I learned how expensive living is, especially in today's world where the housing value is so expensive. I learned that there are people out there struggling with jobs to make enough money just to survive. I thought the book, made me think more about all the people out there who can't get high paying salary jobs and have to settle for minimum wage jobs, waitrising, or working at wal-mart. It made me think about how many people out there struggle to pay for food, and shelter. Not only jobless people face these hardships but people with jobs also face them too. This book made me open my eyes and realize how hard it is to survive in today's world.
I thought that the author, Barbara Ehrenreich, deserves a lot of credit. She had a good career and she could have easily researched the topic without actually going out there and being part of the work force. She actually left her family and friends to research this topic. She took on a new, low paying, and life style. She didn't cheat her self by bringing extra money that she could use to stay in a nice hotel; instead she took on the living style of those who can't afford the expensive luxuries. She actually became a part of this low paying work force. There aren't many people who would give up a life style full of luxuries and without worries for a lifestyle full of extra hard work, plenty of bills, and a lot of headaches.
I think that this book will make a lot of people realize that they shouldn't be petty or concentrate on the materialistic things in life. Instead they should just be happy to have a home, food, clothes, shelter, and benefits. This book will open the eyes of people who never had to worry about having a place to live.
Rating: 
Summary: NICKEL AND DIMED
Review: THIS BOOK IS EXTREMELY WELL WRITTEN BUT THERE ARE DEFINITELY TWO PERSPECTIVES YOU CAN LOOK AT IT BY.
THE FIRST PERSPECTIVE IS THAT SHE IS EXTREMLY BRAVE TO GIVE UP WHAT SHE HAS FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND WRITE ABOUT THESE WORKING AND POOR PEOPLE. THE BOOK IS SO WELL WRITTEN BECAUSE SHE IS ACUALLY THERE. SHE GOT TO KNOW THESE MEN AND WOMEN AND ACTUALLY WORK WITH THEM. I FEEL THAT SHE PUT HER HEART AND SOUL INTO IT. ANYONE COULD JUST WRITE ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL THE WORKING-POOR LIVE. SHE WENT BEYOND THE ORDINARY AND ACTUALLY SET OUT TO LIVE AS ONE OF THEM. IT'S NOT JUST THAT SHE'S WRITING ABOUT THIS LIFESTYLE AND SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT... SHE WENT ALL THE WAY FROM FLORIDA TO MAINE! SHE WORKED AS SUCH PLACES AS WAL-MART, CLEANING COMPANIES, A NURSING HOME AND EVEN DINERS! SHE DID WHATEVER SHE COULD TO SURVIVE AND PAY RENT WHILE STILL NEEDING TO HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. SHE EVEN STRUGGLED WITH SOME JOBS BECAUSE SHE COULD BARELY AFFORD TO BUY THE PROPER PANTS THE COMPANY INSISTED SHE WEAR, BLACK OR KHAKI.
tHE OTHER PERSPECTIVE IS THAT MAYBE BY GOING INTO THESE TOWNS AND TAKING THESE JOBS SHE IS DEPRIVING SOMEONE OF A JOB WHO ACTUALLY NEEDS ONE. THEY MAY NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES OR EVEN JUST THEMSELVES.
NO MATTER WHICH PERSPECTIVE YOU HAVE YOU NEED TO ADMIT THAT THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY AN EYE-OPENER. THIS BOOK DEFINITELY WASN'T MY FAVORITE BUT I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ENJOYED IT. SO READ IT AND DEIDE FOR YOURSELF!
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