Our Kids

A more relatable, less rigorous, Coming Apart

This book is filled with fascinating nuggets of data, insights, and explanations for our world. I sometimes felt like the selection of anecdote was a little manipulative. Putnam admits that some examples were chosen that were particularly vivid to make the lesson clearer. When talking about the macro data though, Putnam seems fair, modest, creative, and insightful. The policy recommendations feature unsurprisingly less modest suggestions about the scope of our knowledge, but again he's open about this. An excellent read either in conjunction with Charles Murray's Coming Apart or for those who find lengthy data analysis a struggle to read.

A sobering listen

I think this book sheds light on a problem that a lot of us try to ignore - the growing poor right around our own neighborhoods. I don't have children, but I am nonetheless amazed when someone glibly states "if you want to get ahead, you just need to work a little harder". This book explains just why that no longer really rings true. I found it to be very informative and thought provoking.

Awesome Book - Makes you think!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend, I wish I could buy a copy for every teacher at my kids' school and have them read it. I think that a lot of this book is about thing that we are all aware of, things that happen, yet haven't quite put words to it. Also, the way we treat some kids and not others, something I believe came on us slowly, and not really consciously intended. He brings it to the surface.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Our Kids?

All the personal stories of the parents and the kids.

Which character – as performed by Arthur Morey – was your favorite?

Arthur Morey was an excellent pick for this book. There are a lot of statistics in this book, yet when he read them it was easy to keep up.

Where our society is now

From the author of Bowling Alone, this could be seen as the follow up. What has happened to social mobility in this country and why. And he has some ideas on what to do about it. This is an important book for anyone who is concerned by the growing divides in wealth, income, and opportunity in America.

Everyone should read this

All the kids in America are "our kids" and it is our responsibility to help them and give them opportunities that they wouldn't otherwise have. If you don't believe that, read this book and it will change your life.

Exceptional

startling look on family history and economics and how both are so intertwined everyone should give this a read but especially if you are a parent

Eye-opening

I liked this book because it opened my eyes to a largely hidden problem in America - the opportunity to succeed as a poor kid is quickly vanishing. The book was a fair presentation of this issue, and without any apparent bias. It did get a bit dry because of the many statistics, but I suppose they were nessecary. I loved the real life stories in each chapter.

well thought out, wish there were more stats

very effective use of narratives to illustrate points. but being a nerd, I wish there were a few more nationwide statistics to support the story. I also really like these fact that he addy least *tried* to talk about solutions. so many of these books point out the problem but then have no real solution to it. hopefully a politician somewhere is listening.

Well Researched

Good look at what it might take to fix one of our most compelling issues,

Must read

We all need to read this book and listen to its message. Our future as a democracy depends on narrowing the opportunity gap and giving those in need, and their children, the resources they need to be successful.