Book Review 1...

BOOK: "Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream" by Adam Shepard.

One book that I read this summer was "Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream" by Adam Shepard. It is 2008 book about Shepard, a recent college graduate, who decided to see if he could attain the so-called "American Dream" through meager beginnings. His beginning thesis is youthfully and naively wrong, I think. He wants to prove that he can go from a homeless wanderer with only $25 to a business success. Yes, that can be done by some people, but he fails to consider the inequalities of life from its very basics to its complexities. His cover photo shows this rather athletic, boy-next-door look. He's also white. He's from the typical suburban family and upbringing. So, he could be already ahead of lots of people, in terms of power and privilege, though there are never any guarantees. America attempts to provide legal equality to all of its people, but social and economic and even physical equality doesn't exist as every person is different and is forged by different experiences and DNA. We reach our goals and successes because of our drive and diligence and skills, because of our circumstances and sometimes desperation, sometimes because of others we know, sometimes because we just lucked out at getting the right advice or tip or being at the right place at the right time. Graduates know this, I imagine. But Shepard does redeem his attitudes, I think, especially at the end of the book. He has succeeded in finding the jobs along the way that ultimately raises his bank account to more than $5,000 in a year's time. But there are many circumstances that don't burden him. For example, he doesn't have a disability, doesn't have the responsibility for a child, and didn't get sick in a major way. Both of his parents are diagnosed with having cancer and so even they find themselves on a new road with unanticipated circumstances. At the end, Shepard looks analytically at opportunity and poverty and makes the following good suggestions: More free classes on parenting, more government commitment to safe and affordable housing, more financial literacy instruction, reading instruction is an important and foundational need, an increase in customized social services, and more. He notes the familiar scene at an airport when all the passengers are hurrying to get their own incoming luggage off the conveyor belt. Does anybody care about the little old lady who is struggling with her one piece of luggage? In redeeming tone, Shepard writes, "There it is. Life is like a baggage claim: You can be aggressive and self-serving or you can be aware of those who need help and lend a hand." The book was a good and entertaining read. Any books out there that you all are reading this summer?