Nickel and Dimed

A classic of incarnation reporting

Barbara Ehrenreich, an American publicist, journalist, and social activist, decided to join the millions of people who work full-time for the lowest wages. She wanted to see for herself how much truth there is in the statement that work – any job – can be a ticket to a better life.

Ehrenreich left her home and accepted every offer. She was a waitress, a hotel maid, a cleaner, a nursing home aide, and a saleswoman. She lived in trailers and run-down motel rooms. She quickly discovered that there was no such thing as an unskilled job – jobs that seemed easy were associated with exhausting physical and mental effort. She also learned that one job was not enough to provide herself with the most modest possible shelter over her head and basic food.

For pennies. Work and (not) Survive shows an America of the cheapest motels, roadside restaurants, absurd welfare campaigns and desperate ways of survival. Barbara Ehrenreich discovers the high psychological, health and social costs of those trying to survive on minimum wage. It is also a picture of a country that tolerates an inhuman system of rules subordinated to efficiency, contrary to the declared values ​​of freedom and democracy.

The anniversary edition is preceded by a foreword by Matthew Desmond, author of the book Evicted, who explains why, despite the passage of twenty years, Barbara Ehrenreich's reportage is increasingly and painfully relevant.

Author: Barbara Ehrenreich

Publisher: Picador Modern Classics

Released Date: 2017

ISBN: 9781250161307