In Levittown's Shadow: Poverty in America's Wealthiest Postwar Suburb

Levittowns Shadow is a nonfiction book that tells the story of diverse, poor residents living and working in American suburbs, challenging the narrative that white residents left cities for affluent subdivisions. It explores how public policies produced both suburban plenty and deprivation and how ignoring suburban poverty doomed efforts to reduce inequality. The book focuses on the suburbs of Long Island, home to Levittown, and reveals that poverty was not just an urban problem but a suburban one.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Named one of the best nonfiction books of 2023 by Publishers Weekly, "In Levittowns Shadow" offers an insightful account of the diverse and impoverished residents who inhabit the same suburban neighborhoods. Author Tim Keogh delves into the suburbs of Long Island, particularly focusing on Levittown, which is often regarded as the quintessential suburb. Through his research, Keogh uncovers the intricate interplay between public policies and the experiences of suburbanites, shedding light on both the advantages and disadvantages of suburban living.

Keogh's analysis reveals how military contracts and weak labor laws created a stark divide between well-paid employment opportunities in the suburbs and the exploitation of suburbanites who performed menial tasks such as lawn mowing, house construction, and grocery stocking. Federal mortgage programs, intended to assist families in entering the middle class, inadvertently contributed to housing segregation by underwriting landlord efforts to cram poor families into substandard accommodations.

By shifting the focus to the suburban poor, Keogh challenges the notion that poverty is solely an urban issue and demonstrates that it exists in suburban communities as well. "In Levittowns Shadow" not only deepens our understanding of suburbia's history but also provides valuable insights into combating poverty in contemporary society. The book offers practical solutions and policy recommendations to address the challenges faced by suburbanites, including the need for affordable housing, access to quality education, and job opportunities that can support families and lift them out of poverty.

In conclusion, "In Levittowns Shadow" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of suburban life and the challenges faced by its residents. Through its compelling narrative and insightful analysis, the book offers a fresh perspective on poverty in America and provides valuable insights into the urgent need for policies and initiatives that promote equity and opportunity for all.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226827735