Comments (20)

White Trash

the 400-year Untold History of Class in America
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Sep 26, 2023heliolibros rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Discussions about race won't get us very far, if we're not also willing to talk about class. This book is an attempt at that, and while not perfect, the attempt here is well researched and goes into history that few Americans know - but…
Jun 04, 2023
well, she tells it.
Jun 16, 2021
One has to sift through a lot of chaff to get to get to the wheat. Annoyingly repetitious, especially in early chapters. Much of later chapters is opinion, unconvincing examples and failed attempts at cuteness. A tedious read that is often…
Jan 09, 2019birdonthehorizon rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The book contains a wealth of information about the lower and neglected classes, particularly in Great Britain and the colonies during colonial times. For example, it notes characterizations and "solutions" offered by writers and…
Jun 23, 2018peacebenow rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book covers a lot of info, the classes created at the inception of immigrants in the US to present day. There is definitely a lot of name calling, history not in my consciousness. I found the beginning depressing and a slow slog. …
Mar 06, 2018
I think I have reserved this book. Correct?Is it on the hold shelf in the Francis branch library?
Jul 18, 2017eilokeeffe rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Well worth reading, "White Trash" explains much about American history that was left out of your high school courses. I felt that I got more of an idea about how the educated classes felt about the poor than I did about how they themselves…
Jul 13, 2017
Isenberg has some interesting information, but she twisted or omitted facts that didn't support the points she wanted to make. That is unsound scholarship.
Jun 26, 2017Janice21383 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Clearly this is a book that attracts an...interesting diversity of opinion. Even the professional critics are confused (see reviews above. My favourite is the one that complains that in a book about white people, in a chapter about white…
May 15, 2017DrFolklore rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
White Trash is an excellent history of class in America, written by an academic historian. Her study focusses not on all poor people or the many immigrant groups who arrived, and who, by and large, succeeded economically, but on an old…
May 02, 2017cello9flute rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Don't mistake this for a history book just because it was written by a historian. She misuses and distorts history to support her political views. Instead of writing about the past in its own terms, she judges people and circumstances…
Feb 10, 2017
The commentator above who feels insulted by this book may be right. I learned in history of Canada class in college that when freed black slaves came over to Canada from the USA, they were given lands to cultivate, lands full of rocks, not…
Histmrs1
Feb 07, 2017
Illuminating, a totally different way of seeing the American populace.
Jan 25, 2017SEELOCHAN BEHARRY rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
From Nancy Isenberg's Title: "White Trash. The 400- Year Untold History of Class in America," I thought I would learn about what games the poorer people (early immigrants) played in early America. I never realized (until now) that there…
Jan 04, 2017haroldweber rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A great read. I look forward to future books from this author. This book was easy to read, well cited sources, and thought provoking. I appreciate that the Library has provided this book for it's patrons.
Aw_19
Dec 23, 2016Aw_19 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
If you are into radical, left-wing history then you may like this book. Otherwise, I think it's best to stay away. It's also not that well written, which is another mark against it. I gave up after three chapters.
Dec 04, 201621288004246712 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
early American history is the most interesting part of the book
Sep 28, 2016patcarstensen rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
She's a little academic in tone, but the whole "white trash breed" history is fascinating.
Aug 31, 2016JackPurcell rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I couldn't get into this one... finally gave up on it figuring maybe someday I'll check it out again when I need some self-flagellation.
Aug 30, 2016Memawrayne rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Interesting and informative. I learned about this book with an interview on tv with the author. She describes how to have a middle class, there must also be an upper and lower class. Now that explains some of the sad people we see in…