Down & out, on the road : the homeless in American history / Kenneth L. Kusmer.

By:

Kusmer, Kenneth L, 1945-

Material type: Text

TextPublication details: Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2002.Description: 1 online resource (ix, 332 pages, 10 unnumbered pages of plates) : illustrationsContent type:

text

Media type:

computer

Carrier type:

online resource

ISBN:

9780198021544
0198021542
9780195047783
0195047788
1601296452
9781601296450
1280440627
9781280440625
0195180437
9780195180435
0195185706
9780195185706

Other title:

Down and out

Subject(s):

Genre/Form:

Additional physical formats: Print version:: Down & out, on the road.DDC classification:

305.569 22

LOC classification:

HV4504 .K87 2002eb

Online resources:

Click here to access online

Contents:

1. The problem of the homeless in American history -- 2. The origins of homelessness in early America -- 3. The emergence of the tramp, 1865-1880 -- 4. Tramps, trains, and towns, 1880-1915 -- 5. Organized charity, social workers, and the homeless -- 6. Who were the homeless -- 7. On the road -- 8. In the city -- 9. A changing image : the homeless in popular culture, 1890-1930 -- 10. From tramp to transient : the great depression -- 11. The forgotten men, 1935-1975 -- 12. A new homeless?

Summary: Covering the entire period, from the colonial era to the late-20th century, this book charts the history of the homeless in America. Drawing on sources that include records of charitable organizations, sociological studies, and numerous memoirs of formerly homeless persons, Kusmer demonstrates that the homeless have been a significant presence on the American scene for over 200 years. He probes the history of homelessness from a variety of angles, showing why people become homeless; how charities and public authorities dealt with this social problem; and the diverse ways in which different class, ethnic, and racial groups perceived and responded to homelessness. Kusmer demonstrates that, despite the common perception of the homeless as a deviant group, they have always had much in common with the average American. Focusing on the millions who suffered downward mobility, this title provides an alternative view of the evolution of American society and raises disturbing questions about the repeated failure to face and solve the problem of homelessness.

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Item type	Home library	Collection	Call number	Materials specified	Status	Date due	Barcode
Electronic-Books	OPJGU Sonepat- Campus	E-Books EBSCO			Available

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Covering the entire period, from the colonial era to the late-20th century, this book charts the history of the homeless in America. Drawing on sources that include records of charitable organizations, sociological studies, and numerous memoirs of formerly homeless persons, Kusmer demonstrates that the homeless have been a significant presence on the American scene for over 200 years. He probes the history of homelessness from a variety of angles, showing why people become homeless; how charities and public authorities dealt with this social problem; and the diverse ways in which different class, ethnic, and racial groups perceived and responded to homelessness. Kusmer demonstrates that, despite the common perception of the homeless as a deviant group, they have always had much in common with the average American. Focusing on the millions who suffered downward mobility, this title provides an alternative view of the evolution of American society and raises disturbing questions about the repeated failure to face and solve the problem of homelessness.