Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream
by Adam W. Shepard
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Book Summary Information
Author: Adam W. ShepardEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-10-14
ISBN: 0061714364
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Harper
Book Reviews of Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream
Book Review: "White Educated Males Can Make it in America" is a more fitting title
Summary: 3 Stars
This book embodies the worst kind of reasoning: that because the author can "make it" from scratch, anyone can. It's positive message of "The American Dream is possible" casts the deliberate but unspoken shadow: The poor deserve what they have, and are just lazy.
An educated, white male can make $5,000 in a year from scratch? Does this truly verify that the American Dream is possible? The author has no dependents, is able-bodied, and articulate. The book ignores very relevant factors: race, gender, education, starting-place, able-bodiness, psychology, etc. For example, sure the author doesn't list his education on his job applications, but he still is educated -- and that comes through (i.e., in his video plug, he's quite articulate/charismatic). And starting from "scratch" is not how the poor usually are situated: they typically have strikes against them (i.e., dependents whether spouse, children, or family members).
If this book is read as an "On the Road" Keuroac-ian homage, then it's fine. But as a response to Nickel-and-Dimed, or any empirical studies regarding upward socio-economic mobility, it fails from scratch.
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