A very interesting look into the world of the extremely poor in the United States, separated by their $2/day per person restrictions. The author mixes interviews and anecdotes from a number of families she spent a lot of time with along with statistics to drive home the point of how dire the situation is for these people, how it happens, what they do to survive, and how prevalent it actually is.

Ever since the welfare reform in the mid-90's, this class of people has only grown wider and it's eye-opening to read a book where these people can speak for themselves and not be stereotyped as lazy or criminal, but rather simply finding ways to make sure their family can survive. Their situations are heart-wrenching and a clear picture is painted about how cyclical the situation is and how the odds are incredibly stacked against them to ever climb back out to even reach the poverty line-- something many of those interviewed put as their goal and what would make them happy, just a steady job with enough money to keep a roof over their head, food on the table, and school supplies and medical care for their children.

In what is a politically charged topic, Edin does well to provide recommendations based on research and back it up with the numbers and the faces and stories of those currently suffering. A very powerful read, and one I'm sure will stick with me as I hear about various types of reform being debated.