Overview

First published in 1999, Worlds Apart examined the nature of poverty through the stories of real people in three remote rural areas of the United States: New England, Appalachia, and the Mississippi Delta. In this new edition, Duncan returns to her original research, interviewing some of the same people as well as some new key informants. Duncan provides powerful new insights into the dynamics of poverty, politics, and community change. ""What stories Mil Duncan has to tell! In this new edition of her classic Worlds Apart, she offers sage advice about how to begin to reverse the dangerously growing divide between rich and poor in our country.""—Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis ""A mosaic of intimate portraits revealing the social, economic, and political isolation of rural poverty, Worlds Apart is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the root causes of inequality in America.""—Darren Walker, president, Ford Foundation

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9780300196597

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What stories Mil Duncan has to tell! In this new edition of her classic Worlds Apart, she offers sage advice about how to begin to reverse the dangerously growing divide between rich and poor in our country. -Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis -- Robert Putnam A mosaic of intimate portraits revealing the social, ecenomic, and political isolation of rural poverty, Worlds Apart is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the root causes of inquality in America. -Darren Walker, president, Ford Foundation -- Darren Walker The classics don't get out of date. Cynthia Duncan's unflinching account of rural poverty, updated and still fresh, combines a journalistic punch and elegant analysis. The gripping stories of Appalachian feudalism, Mississippi racism, and Maine decency make this a book you can't put down. -Peter Edelman, author of So Rich, So Poor: Why It's So Hard to End Poverty in America -- Peter Edelman The impossible happened. The first edition of Worlds Apart, which has long been viewed as the classic introduction to rural poverty, is now an even more powerful demonstration of the role of local institutions in generating poverty. Another instant classic. -David B. Grusky, director, Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality David B. Grusky Must reading... Those who advocate the need for a greater sense of social responsibility in our attitude toward the poor will find much support in this study. -Thomas Bokenkotter, America -- Thomas Bokenkotter America

'Duncan, through in-depth investigation and interviews, concludes that only a strong civic culture, a sense among citizens of community and the need to serve that community, can truly address poverty... Duncan has created a remarkable study of the persistent patterns of poverty and power.' (Kirkus Reviews) 'The descriptions of rural poverty in Worlds Apart are interesting and read almost like a novel.' (Choice)

Author Information

Cynthia M. Duncan is founding director of the Carsey Institute for Families and Communities at the University of New Hampshire and research director at AGree, an initiative bringing together diverse interests to transform food and agricultural policy in the United States.

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