Homelessness: A Documentary and Reference Guide (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780313377006)

This book presents an unflinching investigation of homelessness in the United States--a problem that has been with us since the arrival of the first English settlers nearly 400 years ago.

The terms historically used to describe them include "bums," "hoboes," "migrants," "street people," "transients," "tramps," and "vagrants." Just as varied as the words we have used to describe them are the reasons many people have found themselves living in the land of opportunity without permanent residence.

The book considers homelessness and its distinctive character in three periods of American history: the era of tramps and hoboes in the late 1800s-early 1900s, the era of transients and migrants in the 1930s, and the era of homeless and "street" people in the last 40 years. It clarifies the multiple meanings of the word "homeless" today and demonstrates that homelessness is a symptom of more than one problem, leading to confusion about the issue of homelessness and hampering attempts to reduce its occurrence. Author Neil Larry Shumsky, PhD, also postulates that the treatment of homelessness in England before the colonization of North America laid the foundation of pervasive American attitudes and practices.

Author: Neil Larry Shumsky
ISBN-10: 0313377006
ISBN-13: 9780313377006
Publisher: Greenwood
Language: English
Published: 01/16/2012
Pages: 420
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 3.00lbs
Size: 11.20h x 8.40w x 1.20d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 04/15/2012 pg. 101
Choice 07/01/2012
Reference and Research Bk News 04/01/2012 pg. 99