Review:

In “Poverty, by America,” Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond delivers a forceful and provocative examination of why poverty endures in one of the world’s wealthiest nations. Rather than treating poverty as an inevitable or accidental byproduct of capitalism, Desmond argues that it is actively produced and maintained by the choices, policies, and behaviors of the non-poor—especially the affluent and middle class, who benefit from systems that exploit and exclude the poor.

Main Arguments and Themes:

Desmond’s central thesis is that poverty in America is not simply a result of individual failings or impersonal market forces, but is the outcome of deliberate social and political decisions. He contends that the well-off are “complicit” in perpetuating poverty, whether through regressive tax policies, housing discrimination, underfunded public services, or the exploitation of low-wage labor. The book explores how the affluent benefit from cheap goods and services, tax breaks, and government subsidies, while the poor are systematically denied access to resources and opportunities.

Desmond draws on a wide range of data, case studies, and personal stories to illustrate how poverty is woven into the fabric of American life. He examines the role of landlords, employers, banks, and policymakers in creating and sustaining economic hardship, and he challenges the myths that poverty is caused by laziness, bad choices, or a lack of ambition. Instead, he shows how poverty is “profitable” for many, and how the structures of American society are designed to keep the poor in their place.

Key Figures and Stories:

While “Poverty, by America” is less focused on individual characters than Desmond’s previous book “Evicted,” it does include vignettes and stories of people struggling with poverty, as well as those who benefit from the current system. These stories serve to humanize the statistics and ground the book’s arguments in lived experience, but the primary focus is on systems, policies, and collective responsibility rather than on a single narrative arc or set of recurring characters.

Calls to Action:

Desmond is not content to simply diagnose the problem; he calls for a moral reckoning and a broad-based movement to end poverty in America. He urges readers to recognize their own roles—as consumers, voters, and citizens—in perpetuating inequality, and to demand policies that redistribute resources, strengthen social safety nets, and dismantle systems of exploitation. Among his recommendations are expanding affordable housing, raising the minimum wage, reforming the tax code, and investing in public goods like education and healthcare.

The book’s tone is urgent and impassioned, challenging readers to move beyond charity and empathy to embrace solidarity and justice. Desmond insists that ending poverty is not only possible, but necessary for the health and future of American democracy.

Critical Reception:

“Poverty, by America” has been widely praised for its clarity, rigor, and moral force. Critics have lauded Desmond’s ability to synthesize complex research and policy analysis into a compelling narrative, and for his willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity and privilege. Some reviewers note that the book is less granular and character-driven than “Evicted,” but most agree that its sweeping analysis and call to action make it an essential contribution to the national conversation on poverty and inequality.

The introduction was the best part of the book. It lacks the detail and nuance of the real stories and longitudinal study of individual families that are found in “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” (2017), which greatly influenced by graduate studies and research. Howevery, it is nevertheless an impassioned litany that I hope will help to inspire much needed change.