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Tightrope
320 pages, 2020
Through the lives of some of the children with whom he grew up, in rural Yamhill, Oregon, an area that prospered for much of the twentieth century but has been devastated in the last few decades as blue-collar jobs disappeared, Kristof tells a story about what it means to live in another America.
About one-quarter of the children on his old school bus died in adulthood from drugs, alcohol, suicide, or reckless accidents. And while these particular stories unfolded in one corner of the country—from the Dakotas and Oklahoma to New York and Virginia—they are representative of many places that Kristof writes about. But here too are stories about resurgence: Annette Dove spent her life helping teenagers navigate the chaotic reality of growing up poor in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
In Tightrope, Sheryl WuDunn paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of poverty in America. She explores the struggles of the working class, showing us that poverty isn't just a statistic, but a lived experience for many.
WuDunn digs into the role of government policy in perpetuating poverty. She shows us how decisions made at the top can have a ripple effect, impacting the lives of those at the bottom.
Education is a key theme in Tightrope. WuDunn shows us how access to quality education can be a game-changer for those in poverty. It's a reminder that education isn't just about learning, but about creating opportunities.
In her book, WuDunn encourages us to see the world through the eyes of those less fortunate. She reminds us that empathy is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing poverty.
Tightrope isn't just a book about poverty, it's a call to action. WuDunn challenges us to not just read about these issues, but to take steps to address them. Whether it's through policy change, education reform, or simply showing empathy, we all have a role to play.
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Tightrope is a heroic, harrowing, and at times, heartbreaking book. It's a must-read.
Bill Gates - Microsoft Co-founderTightrope is a searing, anguished book about the death of the American dream for large swathes of the country.
Nicholas Kristof - Journalist, AuthorRecommendations
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