Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the search for the American dream by Adam Shepard

Just like almost every other college graduate, Adam wanted to see if he could make it on his own.  Unlike other graduates, Adam put himself to a severe test.  He gave away everything he owned, picked the name of a city out of a hat, and bought a one-way ticket to Charleston with $25 in his pocket.  He gave himself one year to to have $2500, a working automobile and a furnished apartment.

I love the premise of this; it was a good read, and very interesting.  But Shepard still comes across as demeaning to the people he means to be celebrating (for example, telling the busdriver he’s no one special even as he applauds the man’s initiative in being cheerful and friendly every day – as if the driver is cheerful and friendly in spite of being no one special, instead of because of it.)  It may be this relatively easy for a single, young, healthy man to make something of himself, but those with illness or disabilities, or those with children will still have a much harder time.  I think I need to read Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich to get the other side of the story.