Books Should Be Free
Loyal Books
Free Public Domain Audiobooks & eBook Downloads
Search by: Title, Author or Keyword

Prisoners of Poverty Abroad   By: (1839-1918)

Book cover

Prisoners of Poverty Abroad by Helen Campbell is a thought-provoking and eye-opening account of the harsh realities facing working women during the late 19th century.

In this meticulously researched book, Campbell delves into the lives of women who migrated from their native countries to find employment in America. Focusing particularly on Irish, German, and Scandinavian women, the author unveils the struggles and injustices they faced while working as domestic servants or in various low-wage jobs.

Through interviews and firsthand observations, Campbell paints a vivid picture of the dire conditions these women found themselves in. She exposes the exploitative practices of employers who paid their workers meager wages, subjected them to excessive hours of labor, and provided inadequate living conditions. These women lived in constant fear of losing their jobs and falling into destitution, as their employment often hinged on their ability to meet impossibly high standards of productivity and endure abuse in the workplace.

What sets this book apart is Campbell's emphasis on the social and psychological impact of poverty on these women. She skillfully highlights the profound toll that economic hardships took on their overall well-being, as they struggled to support themselves and, in many cases, their families back home. The heartbreaking stories of broken dreams, shattered spirits, and crushed ambitions make it impossible not to empathize with these resilient, yet marginalized women.

Campbell's prose is engaging and straightforward, providing readers with a clear understanding of the historical context and the magnitude of the challenges faced by these prisoners of poverty. The author's passion for social reform shines through her writing, as she advocates for fair wages, improved working conditions, and opportunities for education and advancement.

While the book might be criticized for its occasional generalizations and lack of intersectional analysis, it remains an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding the labor conditions and gender dynamics of the late 19th century. Campbell's extensive research, coupled with her compassionate portrayal of these women's struggles, provides a rare glimpse into a forgotten chapter of history.

In conclusion, Prisoners of Poverty Abroad is a powerful exposé of the hardships faced by migrant women in America during the late 19th century. Helen Campbell's masterful storytelling, backed by thorough research, sheds light on the injustices endured by these women and serves as a compelling call to action for social reform. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of labor history, women's rights, and the enduring fight against poverty.

First Page:

PRISONERS OF POVERTY ABROAD.

BY HELEN CAMPBELL,

AUTHOR OF "PRISONERS OF POVERTY," "THE WHAT TO DO CLUB," "MRS. HERNDON'S INCOME," "MISS MELINDA'S OPPORTUNITY," "ROGER BERKELEY'S PROBATION."

BOSTON: ROBERTS BROTHERS. 1889.

Copyright, 1889,

BY HELEN CAMPBELL.

University Press:

JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.

"But laying hands on another To coin his labor and sweat, He goes in pawn to his victim For eternal years in debt."

TO

F. W. P.

THE FRIEND IN WHOM JUSTICE AND TRUTH ARE SO DEEPLY IMPLANTED THAT BOTH ARE INSTINCTS,

AND WHOSE MANHOOD HOLDS THE PROMISE OF WORK THAT WILL GO FAR TOWARD FULFILLING THE DEEPEST WISH OF THE GENERATION TO WHICH THE MAKER OF THESE PAGES BELONGS.

PREFACE.

The studies which follow, the result of fifteen months' observation abroad, deal directly with the workers in all trades open to women, though, from causes explained in the opening chapter, less from the side of actual figures than the preceding volume, the material for which was gathered in New York. But as months have gone on, it has become plain that many minds are also at work, the majority on the statistical side of the question, and that the ethical one is that which demands no less attention. Both are essential to understanding and to effort in any practical direction, and this is recognized more and more as organization brings together for consultation the women who, having long felt deeply, are now learning to think and act effectually... Continue reading book >>




eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook
• iBooks for iPhone and iPad
• Nook
• Sony Reader
Kindle eBook
• Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook
• Load eBook in browser
Text File eBook
• Computers
• Windows
• Mac

Review this book



Popular Genres
More Genres
Languages
Paid Books