Skip to content

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare Paperback - 2005

by Jason Deparle

Bill Clinton vowed to "end welfare as we know it" in his first run for president. Did it work? "New York Times" reporter and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist DeParle follows three women in one extended family to a set of surprising answers.


Summary

In this definitive work, two-time Pulitzer finalist Jason DeParle cuts between the mean streets of Milwaukee and the corridors of Washington to produce a masterpiece of literary journalism. At the heart of the story are three cousins whose different lives follow similar trajectories. Leaving welfare, Angie puts her heart in her work. Jewell bets on an imprisoned man. Opal guards a tragic secret that threatens her kids and her life. DeParle traces  their family history back six generations to slavery and weaves poor people, politicians, reformers, and rogues into a spellbinding epic.

With a vivid sense of humanity, DeParle demonstrates that although we live in a country where anyone can make it, generation after generation some families don’t. To read American Dream is to understand why.

From the publisher

Jason DeParle, a reporter for The New York Times, has also written for The New Republic, the Washington Monthly, and The New Orleans Times-Picayune. A former Henry Luce Scholar, DeParle was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1995 and 1998 for his reporting on the welfare system.

First line

Bruce Reed needed a better line.

Details

  • Title American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
  • Author Jason Deparle
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 432
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, U.S.A.
  • Date August 30, 2005
  • Features Bibliography, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143034377 / 0143034375
  • Weight 0.85 lbs (0.39 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.4 x 5.52 x 0.91 in (21.34 x 14.02 x 2.31 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Public welfare - United States, United States - Social policy
  • Dewey Decimal Code 362.556

Media reviews

Courageous and deeply disturbing... DeParle challenges the nation. (The New York Times Book Review/I>)A book about welfare reform that is fun to read. (Detroit Free Press)

Citations

  • Ingram Advance, 09/01/2005, Page 126
  • New York Review of Books, 12/15/2005, Page 76

About the author

Jason DeParle, a reporter for The New York Times, has also written for The New Republic, the Washington Monthly, and The New Orleans Times-Picayune. A former Henry Luce Scholar, DeParle was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1995 and 1998 for his reporting on the welfare system.

More Copies for Sale

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$1.65
NZ$4.94 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Item Price
NZ$1.65
NZ$4.94 shipping to USA
American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Belmont, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$5.43
NZ$7.40 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005-08-30. paperback. Good. 5x0x8. This book may be an ex-library item.This book is in good condition, showing moderate signs of wear and use. The pages may have noticeable notes, highlighting, or underlining, but the text remains clearly readable. The cover and spine may show signs of shelf wear, such as creases, scuff marks, or small tears. Despite these cosmetic flaws, the book remains structurally sound and fully functional. This book may be an ex-library item.
Item Price
NZ$5.43
NZ$7.40 shipping to USA
American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.01
NZ$6.56 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Item Price
NZ$8.01
NZ$6.56 shipping to USA
American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA
American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA
American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA
American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

American Dream : Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by DeParle, Jason

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$11.09
FREE shipping to USA
American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by Deparle, Jason

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.32
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005. Paperback. Like New. Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.32
FREE shipping to USA
American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by Deparle, Jason

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.32
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.32
FREE shipping to USA
American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by Deparle, Jason

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143034377 / 0143034375
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.32
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2005. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.32
FREE shipping to USA