The Great Divergence

As a result of the Occupy Wall Street movement, the reality of income inequality in America is gaining popular attention. Currently the top one percent of Americans collect almost 20 percent of the nation's income, double the percentage from 30 years ago. Analyzing long-term economic trends, Noah (lead columnist, New Republic) delves into the history and causes of income inequality. Based on a series of articles he wrote for Slate ("The United States of Inequality"), his book examines "the great divergence" between rich and poor and its effect on the middle class over the past several decades. He investigates possible sources of growing inequality, including education, computer access, globalization, immigration laws, the labor movement, and the evolution of the financial sector. Along the way, he pokes holes in popular mindsets, like Americans' enduring but misplaced confidence in upward mobility for all.