How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997
256
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1890s
1997
Adult
18+ years
How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York by Jacob A. Riis is a groundbreaking documentation of the living conditions in New York City's tenements during the late 19th century. Riis uses photography and detailed descriptions to highlight the struggles and resilience of individuals and families in impoverished urban environments.
Informative
Gritty
Unnerving
Melancholic
Contemplative
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How the Other Half Lives by Jacob A. Riis is praised for vividly exposing the harsh realities of New York's tenements at the turn of the 20th century. The book's compelling photographs and firsthand observations offer valuable social insights. However, some critics note its ethnocentric perspective. Overall, it remains an influential work in social reform journalism.
Readers interested in urban history, social reform, and photography would enjoy Riis's How the Other Half Lives. Comparable to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, it appeals to those curious about societal impacts of poverty in late 19th-century America and investigative journalism.
3,415 ratings
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Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1890s
1997
Adult
18+ years
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