Down and Out, on the Road

• The first scholarly history of the homeless in America
• Covers the entire period from the colonial era to the late twentieth century
• Examines the causes of homelessness and surveys the changing image of the homeless in popular culture

Readership: Scholars and students of American history, social history, American studies and sociology.

Kenneth L. Kusmer, Professor of History, Temple University

""It is a pleasure to announce that the homeless, who have so little else, have at least gained in Kenneth L. Kusmer's excellent Down and out, on the Road, a history of their own."—Barbara Ehrenreich, The New York Times Book Review"

""one of the most fascinating books I've ever read"—Martin F. Nolan, The San Francisco Examiner"

"Anyone who thinks homelessness only hit record levels over the past two decades needs to read this book. History does repeat itself when it comes to homelessness and how society responds to it. Today's "war on homelessness and welfare recipients" has historical parallels.—Michael Stoops, National Coalition for the Homeless"

""Homelessness is not only a contemporary phenomenon in the U.S. according to this well-researched and engrossing history.... Kusmer is at his best when describing the specifics of people's lives...drawing upon sociological studies, reports from charitable institutions, the novels of William Dean Howells and Stephen Crane, and the music of blues writer and singer Ida Cox, Kusmer has produced a book that is highly engaging, emotionally absorbing, and historically consequential."—Publishers Weekly"