This was a huge disappointment. The book focuses on poverty and inequality and the lack of access to education, healthcare, and other resources in America that are often found free and accessible in other first world countries. The problem is two fold- One is that the book tries too hard to appear moderate or else slightly liberal which means much of the discussion about capitalism and classism is shallow at best. Two is that much of the word choice is so poor it often simply comes off as offensive or else thoughtless and unpolished. The book quotes people like Woodie Guthrie and James Baldwin for flair without acknowledging their communist or anti-capitalist leanings. In fact, the book does nothing to critique capitalism, simply suggesting taxes be directed toward programs but not critiquing too deeply the economic system that so clearly continues much of the suffering the book aims to tear down. The book in one sentence says that America’s problems have inspired/ brought about support of “extreme” sides like Trump and Bernie Sanders. The book just casually drops this in and while it makes an effort later in to explain how/why Trump and his policies are extreme, it does nothing to explain why Sanders is mentioned not why is an apparent opposite end of the spectrum. This is either ignorance or a weak attempt at appearing centrist but those that read a lot of political theory will know that on a worldwide scale, Sanders doesn’t even register on the far left side of the spectrum. The book also continues the incorrect but often used idea that “America is a democracy” despite the fact that America is a republic and not a pure democracy. These errors built up and annoyed the hell out of me- if you’re well read on political theory it may bother you too. As for word choice- this book uses offensive and outdated terms like “g*psy” and “obese” despite modern Romani activists and fat lib activists making it clear since 10 years back that those terms are associated with discrimination. The book has many other word choice issues beyond these and even, at times, placed commas haphazardly. I had so much hope for this book but it came off as pandering to centrists with no regard for political accuracy or deep investigation. What a disappointment.