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Title details for Scratch Beginnings by Adam W. Shepard - Available

Scratch Beginnings

Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream

by Adam W. Shepard
ebook
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1 of 1 copy available
A young man sets out to prove the American Dream is alive and well in this memoir of homelessness, grit, and perseverance.
After reading Barbara Ehrenreich's influential book, Nickel and Dimed, Adam Shepard felt discouraged by its hopeless view of American opportunity. He set out to disprove Ehrenreich's theory—the notion that those who start at the bottom stay at the bottom—by making something out of nothing to achieve the American Dream.
Shepard's plan was simple. With a sleeping bag, the clothes on his back, and $25 in cash, and restricted from using his contacts or college education, he headed out for Charleston, South Carolina, a randomly selected city with one objective: to work his way out of homelessness and into a life that would give him the opportunity for success. His goal was to have, after one year, $2,500, a working automobile, and a furnished apartment.
Scratch Beginnings is a personal account of Shepard's struggle to overcome the pressures placed on the homeless. His story will not only inspire readers but will also remind them that success can come to anyone who is willing to work hard—and that America is still one of the most hopeful countries in the world.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    August 18, 2023

  • Formats

    • Kindle Book

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9780061981777

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9780061981777
      • File size: 1161 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Lexile® Measure: 1040
    • Text Difficulty: 6-8

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from February 27, 2012
      Shepard, a business management major from Merrimack College in Massachu­setts, woke up one morning and decided he wanted to be homeless. He would set out with the clothes on his back and a couple of bills in his pocket and try to prove that, without drawing upon his education, it was still possible to become a success in the land of opportunity. Narrator Peter Berkrot delivers a stellar performance, embodying Shepard during each stage of his captivating journey and delivering an intensely intimate performance that is as subtle as it is unabashed and raw. Berkrot’s tone is that of a hardworking man who refuses to be broken down by society no matter what life throws at him. It’s compelling and earnest, hilarious at times, while devastatingly sad at others. Berkrot ably steps into Shepard’s shoes as the author steps into the shoes of the poorest of the poor in America today. A Harper Perennial paperback.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1040
  • Text Difficulty:6-8

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