Homelessness

April 15, 2012

Shumsky (history, Virginia Tech) has published many books and articles on urban and immigration history. This work primarily examines homelessness during three periods in U.S. history: the late 1800s to early 1900s, the 1930s, and the last 40 years. Located at the front of the book is a reader's guide to the documents and to the work's many sidebars, which highlight interesting facts, anecdotes, and figures. An introduction and prolog analyze the treatment of homeless people in England in colonial times and posit that this history forms the basis for current U.S. sentiment toward that population. After that are excerpts from and analysis of English historical documents of the time. This pattern of documents followed by analysis continues throughout the work, which is divided primarily into the time periods discussed above, and within those sections by topics such as "Squatters" and "Congress Defines Homelessness." VERDICT The reliance on primary documents and the well-drawn historical perspective makes this work stand out from others on the topic. This original look at homelessness in the United States from a historical perspective will prove a valuable addition to collections supporting social work or sociological research.--Samantha Schmehl Hines, Univ. of Montana-Missoula Lib.

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