Other Books:

Duncan, C. (1992). Rural Poverty in America. New York, NY: Auburn House.

- This book, which represents a compilation of essays and reports that were in some way funded or contributed to by the Rural Economic Policy Program, highlights the problems over 9 million people in the U.S. living in poverty in rural settings face today. According to the book, rural poverty is not confined to one section of the country or to one ethnic group, but is a national problem, and the resolution of hidden America's economic predicament will now depend on a better understanding of who is poor and why. This book offers clear, readable and informative chapters that describe the declining opportunities available in rural areas, including the social, educational, and political factors that tend to pose barriers to economic development. Cynthia Duncan, the main author and editor of this book, serves as the Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of New Hampshire making her a prominent, reliable source for rural poverty.

Harrington, M. (1969). The Other America: Poverty in the United States. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books.

- Michael Harrington, a prominent sociologist of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, analyzes the depth of the poverty crisis during the 1960s, focusing on the invisibility of the elderly, children, and minorities in the allocation of opportunities in American society, including rural America. Harrington uses research from sociologists and economists to reveal the hidden economic inequalities in the United States. The Other America became one factor that perpetuated John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” which included the implementation of Medicare and expansion of Social Security. Although this book is slightly dated, many sociologists and writers have said the book remains relevant today, if not more relevant than before. Reporters searching for valuable analysis and interesting quotes regarding poverty and its effects on individuals would benefit from this book.