Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America: Arnade, Chris: 9780525534730: Amazon.com: Books

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"A profound book.... It will break your heart but also leave you with hope." —J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy

"[A] deeply empathetic book." —The Economist

With stark photo essays and unforgettable true stories, Chris Arnade cuts through "expert" pontification on inequality, addiction, and poverty to allow those who have been left behind to define themselves on their own terms.

After abandoning his Wall Street career, Chris Arnade decided to document poverty and addiction in the Bronx. He began interviewing, photographing, and becoming close friends with homeless addicts, and spent hours in drug dens and McDonald's. Then he started driving across America to see how the rest of the country compared. He found the same types of stories everywhere, across lines of race, ethnicity, religion, and geography.

The people he got to know, from Alabama and California to Maine and Nevada, gave Arnade a new respect for the dignity and resilience of what he calls America's Back Row--those who lack the credentials and advantages of the so-called meritocratic upper class. The strivers in the Front Row, with their advanced degrees and upward mobility, see the Back Row's values as worthless. They scorn anyone who stays in a dying town or city as foolish, and mock anyone who clings to religion or tradition as naïve.

As Takeesha, a woman in the Bronx, told Arnade, she wants to be seen she sees herself: "a prostitute, a mother of six, and a child of God." This book is his attempt to help the rest of us truly see, hear, and respect millions of people who've been left behind.

Reading age

1 year and up
Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Dimensions

7.3 x 1 x 9.73 inches
Publisher

Sentinel
Publication date

June 4, 2019
ISBN-10

0525534733
ISBN-13

978-0525534730
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Customer reviews

803 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book compelling, excellent, and beautiful. They describe the story as heartfelt, touching, and emotional. Readers appreciate the decent, gripping, and moving photographs. They also praise the writing quality as well-written and relatable. Opinions differ on the insight, with some finding it educational and helping to advance their opinions, while others say it doesn't help.

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Readability Heartfelt story Photo quality Writing quality Insight

33 customers mention "Readability"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book compelling, excellent, and beautiful. They say it's a must-read with snapshot portraits of the joy, pride, hope, despair, and dignity of people all across the world. Readers also mention the author does a great job of presenting these vignettes to show the humanity in the people.

"This is a great book for fans of Chris Arnade...." Read more

"Good read, non political, open and honest, easy and fast to read...." Read more

"...The pictures remind me a bit of Humans of a New York, some are very touching." Read more

"...on behalf of those who can effect change and this book is an excellent primer for those prepared to begin that journey." Read more

13 customers mention "Heartfelt story"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the story heartfelt, touching, and emotional. They describe the author as relatable, authentic, and empathetic. Readers also mention the anecdotes and stories are haunting and compelling. In addition, they say the book gives them a sense of belonging.

"...Why? It gave me a sense of belonging. Meaning. Without it, I’m not sure how I would have coped...." Read more

"...His narrative was razor sharp; the photography was compelling...." Read more

"...Arnade is really good at individuals stories...." Read more

"The author’s empathy is reassuringly boundless and his writing is compelling and engaging...." Read more

12 customers mention "Photo quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the photos in the book decent, gripping, and moving. They also appreciate the multiple photo galleries.

"...It's also good for gifting because it's an easy read, has decent photos, makes for good conversation and isn't partisan...." Read more

"...His narrative was razor sharp; the photography was compelling...." Read more

"...The book includes multiple photo galleries, which include images that some will find disturbing, but are necessary to illustrate what these people..." Read more

"...The beautiful, moving photographs...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book to be well-written, easy to read, and relatable. They also say the author is authentic and empathetic.

"...It's also good for gifting because it's an easy read, has decent photos, makes for good conversation and isn't partisan...." Read more

"...To the book, it's well written and despite the author's bias tells stories that add up to a single narrative that, no matter what your political..." Read more

"The author’s empathy is reassuringly boundless and his writing is compelling and engaging...." Read more

"...I wont summarize the book, there will likely be lots of that. The writing was strong and the photography yet stronger in chronicling the what and why..." Read more

12 customers mention "Insight"8 positive4 negative

Customers find the book very educational and insightful. They say it helps them advance their opinions and understand what really is happening in our country. However, some readers feel the book provides little insight and doesn't help overcome racism.

"...A really good choice for students who want to think for themselves and struggling to fit into today's carosive political world...." Read more

"...I felt uncomfortable reading page after page about low-income, poorly-educated people. However it changed my thinking...." Read more

"...Flannery O'Connor's brilliant tactic leaves the reader feeling smart, and shows respect for them. Telling a story is enough...." Read more

"Such an important book. Not a memoir of a hero that pulled himself out of poverty but a real look at the back row of America...." Read more

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E. Gardner

Once of the best books on how America got to where it is

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2020

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Very few books fundamentally change your outlook on life. Dignity, by Chris Arnade, is one of those books. Chris Arnade is a financier-turned-photographer who became disillusioned with his industry after the 2008–09 financial collapse. He turned to photography. After working at in investment bank in lower Manhattan he would walk towards the poor and forgotten parts of New York — taking pictures and talking with its residents.

He developed a framework to view modern America: The Front Row and Back Row. The Front Row is the overachievers, the ones who sat in the front row of class, got the right credentials and found themselves upwardly mobile in today’s information economy. They tend to migrate towards cities. The other, the back row, are those who didn’t. They either lacked the skills or didn’t value the credentials our new economy required. They were left behind.

Major politicians have spent the last two decades, arguing that our modern economy requires upskilling and movement. It’s an individual’s choice to be left behind. Sure, manufacturing is moving overseas, but so what? We’ll get cheaper socks, and if you’re a factory worker who lost their job, you should learn to code and move to a city. Do “value-added” work.

The problem with this mindset, and one Arnade articulates exceptionally well, is that it fails to account for the immeasurable aspects of life. What if you can’t move? Or you don’t want to? Social networks are incredibly hard to build as an adult. What if all you want is to put in 8-solid hours a day, provide for your family and support your community? These decisions aren’t cut and dry, and despite the common perception, they can’t be measured in an employment report.

I have a feeling that the last thirty years have been the loneliest thirty years in America’s existence. Churches, unions, and other community groups provided people with a sense of belonging. All are now increasingly irrelevant in American life. They’ve been replaced by a cutthroat competition that devalues the average individual’s contribution.

I think part of my appreciation is that, despite being a member of the front-row with multiple degrees, I spent about 10 months of my mid-twenties unemployed. I worked for a small business that went bankrupt. Obviously, being unemployed sucks because you have no idea how you’re going to pay rent. However, it wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was the social stigma attached to it. In America, and especially New York City (where I lived at the time), what you did for a living is a fundamentally part of your identity. I would go to parties and dates and mostly have no identity. It wears at you. You become increasingly isolated. During this time I joined Crossfit. Despite being unemployed I still spend $200 a month on exercise. Why? It gave me a sense of belonging. Meaning. Without it, I’m not sure how I would have coped.

Arnade shows, through photographs and narrative, that this cycle has destroyed entire communities. We’ve managed to individualize a structural problem, and the result is an onslaught of depression and despair. Thirty years ago, rural communities had keystone manufacturers that provided meaning for an area. Now people make minimum wage at Dollar General. Sure, they could move, but where? Who would they watch football with? Where would they go to church? What about child care?

But hey, they can buy cheap socks!

Obama famously said that de-industrialization meant that rural people increasingly clinging to guns and religion. He said it in a somewhat disparaging way. At the time, I agreed with him. I thought that if people are struggling, they should get new skills or better their life — not cling to the past.

Chris Arnade’s book made me re-think this entire paradigm, which is about the biggest compliment you can give a book.

13 people found this helpful

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Neil

Good book for gifting

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022

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This is a great book for fans of Chris Arnade. It's also good for gifting because it's an easy read, has decent photos, makes for good conversation and isn't partisan. Unless you want to make it partisan.

Unfortunately, Mr. Arnade doesn't have the answers for what plagues the underclass in America, so don't look to him for policy. This book is more descriptive than prescriptive.

For fans of the author you can follow him online for free or for a donation.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

tex odell

Very educational. Helped me to understand what really is happening in our country. I like that it is not political. Helps me to advance my own opinions. This is a good read for everyone, Old, young, rich or poor and every race. You can find yourself in t his book! Enjoy

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2019

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Good read, non political, open and honest, easy and fast to read. A really good choice for students who want to think for themselves and struggling to fit into today's carosive political world. Helps anyone who cares, young, Old, rich, poor, all races. You can fit yourself into this story.

One person found this helpful

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Steven N. Silver

Distance between the front and back row is widening, never a good thing.

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023

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The author visited small town America, mostly poor, minority, and often dangerous areas, for five years. His narrative was razor sharp; the photography was compelling. He was open about himself; fortunate, Catholic, liberal, with periods of alcohol and prescription drug abuse. He would ask others, " How do you want to be described?" And he would listen. He overcame mistrust, and he understood that interviewees did not want to be analyzed, humiliated or ignored. Most were without degrees or credentials, living in bleak neighborhoods without legal employment, and with at most limited ways to make money; sell drugs, weapons, protection, or exploited women. They looked for purpose and place in which they felt valued, often turf and bars, and parenthood for which they were often unprepared. Their parents might be absent or addicted. Many were born into rejection, isolation and despair.
Many in America's back row find shelter, escape from boredom, and community at McDonalds or other fast-food restaurants, and through evangelical churches in small buildings built for a different purpose. Through church they get hope, inclusion, esteem, guidance and freedom from rejection and judgment related to crime and addiction histories. Their material possessions are limited, but usually include bibles and religious icons. Often, they are advised to move, but limited resources and options, hopelessness and the need to care for extended family can interfere. (For many blacks, moves historically have been forced).
The author suggests the need for those in the front row (most Americans are back row) to listen more, to be aware of the less fortunate and to not judge, and to have greater appreciation for dignity and respect based less so on credentials and material things, and more on family, friendships, pride, faith and happiness; dignity and respect for aspects of life that can't be measured. An expanded view of success, for what is valued, is needed. And a greater tolerance for diversity.
The front row are the people that will likely read this book, and they tend to value college and academic degree, material things, position and money. But there are other things that matter just as much. What can be dangerous is when the (usually) back row glorifies racial identity; along with pride there is often a capacity for blame and for hate.
This book heightened my awareness, respect, and empathy for those less fortunate.
The distance between the front and the back row is now widening, and that is never good for long term stability.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Navaneethan Santhanam

Grim but interesting

Reviewed in India on December 27, 2023

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I found Arnade’s exploration of the “America you don’t see” interesting. In parts, it was sad and uncomfortable to read about the pain and misery many people experience. There’s a tension between people who value mobility, advancement, with a visible “having made it” and those who value place, family, and their (Christian) faith. I fall pretty squarely in the first category, and this book attempts to showcase the argument for the other side.

Luca Dell'Anna

Eye opening

Reviewed in Italy on July 22, 2023

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Excellent

Dennis

POWERFUL

Reviewed in Canada on February 6, 2021

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You cannot go wrong with this book. Opens your eyes to what we should all be striving for in the name of humanity.

MarcoPolo

"Back row": das Gift zerstörter Würde

Reviewed in Germany on February 3, 2020

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Als Angestellter im New Yorker Wallstreet-Business war Christ Arnade ein Vertreter der "front row": gut verdienend inmitten gut verdienender Nachbarn, selbstverständlich liberal und "inklusiv" in seiner gesellschaftlichen Haltung. Die Toleranz der Mittelschicht hat aber eine Grenze: Wer nicht in der Lage oder nicht willens ist, Bildungsangebote anzunehmen, passt nicht ins Konzept einer Hochproduktivitäts-Wirtschaft. Wer es vorzieht, im Heimatort und bei der Familie zu bleiben, statt der Nachfrage am Arbeitsmarkt nachzureisen, gilt als dumb, verstockt und nicht zu retten.

Das ist die - längst auch in Europa - wachsende Schicht der "back row". Menschen, die zurückbleiben und sich isolieren in bröckelnden Stadtteilen oder Mietskasernen. Drogen bringen die Illusion von Lebensqualität und am Ende den toxischen Kreislauf von persönlichem Niedergang, kaputten Familien und Gewalt. Chris Arnade sucht sie auf und spricht mit ihnen. Offen, empathisch, ohne dabei dem einseitigen oder romantisierenden Blick des "Gutmenschen" zu verfallen. Er fängt ihre Lebenswelt sensibel und respektvoll in Fotos ein. Sein Buch wächst mit jeder Seite zu einem mächtigen Appell an die Wohlstandsgesellschaften: Kultivierung, Bildung, Mobilität und Weltoffenheit sind großartige Werte - aber nicht zwangsläufig universell. Einen Teil der Gesellschaft überfordern sie und werden sie auch in Zukunft überfordern. Wenn wir nach dem Untergang von Millionen Arbeitsplätzen in der Industrie nicht neue Wege finden, diesen Menschen als Leistenden wie Konsumierenden Teilhabe und Würde in der Gesellschaft anzubieten, werden eben diese Menschen unseren Wohlstand, unsere Freiheit und unsere Demokratien auf eine schwere Probe stellen.

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Ramona Liberoff

A tough and honest look at those left behind

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2020

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What this book makes clear is that America’s poor are invisible and misunderstood, and that much well intentioned liberal policy does not give them dignity. It is a fine and harrowing read and should make us all feel a little more direct connection with each other.

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