Overall, I am glad this book is out there, even if I disagree with parts of its philosophy. I read it because it is part of a banned books reading challenge at my local library. Aside from some vulgarity, I see no rational reason for any place of higher learning to ban this book. Research informed me that it was banned, at least in part, for promoting socialism, which translates to shining a light on unnecessary human suffering. I have been a low wage earner most of my life, including three years at walmart before all the law suits that forced them to stop abusing us. It was nice to feel represented for once. It is an honest enough account of the very real fact that being poor is terribly expensive.