Ellen C. (marathonmom) reviewed on 9/15/2010 + 25 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Ehrenreich explores the trials, tribulations, and lack of success of a middle class white collar woman during a search for a job. To write this book, Ehrenreich went "undercover" as a middle-aged woman returning to the full-time workforce, in an attempt to experience some of the elements that face down-sized or underemployed workers today. Though this book was written in 2005/06 it still seems relevant to today's economy and workforce. If that's true, then this book paints a bleak picture of the trials and outcomes facing today's educated job-seeker. I'm not sure how universal Ehrenreich's experience is, but the book is damned depressing. Ultimately though, as reading matter, its not as engaging as "Nickeled and Dimed", Ehrenreich's exploration of woman's entry level blue collar work. I guess its hard to make time spent at a computer and in various networking and support group meetings as interesting as being abused by one's boss at Walmart. Still, the picture it paints of America's corporate job market is scary.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details