An important book, though a rather flawed one. Though she takes pains time and time again not to, in the end she comes off as presumptuous and patronizing. I also could have done with a little more hard data and a little less sanctimonious moralizing knitting together her anecdotes. That said, there are a lot of good little looks into the lives of the working poor, and this should be a must-read for people who take pains to isolate themselves from them, while also passing judgement on their lives.