The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Urban Homelessness, Transient Labor, and Hobo Subculture in Early Twentieth-Century ChicagoBy Nels Anderson
Length10h 18m
About this audiobook
Nels Anderson's The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man is a pioneering work of urban ethnography that examines the transient laborer as a distinct social type within early twentieth-century America. Set chiefly in Chicago's "Hobohemia," the book combines empirical observation, interviews, and sociological classification with a remarkably vivid descriptive prose. Published in the intellectual milieu of the Chicago School, it treats homelessness not as moral failure but as a social condition shaped by labor markets, migration, urban space, and informal institutions. Anderson was unusually equipped to write this study. Before becoming a sociologist, he had himself lived as an itinerant worker, experiencing the precarious world he later analyzed with scholarly discipline. Under the influence of Robert E. Park and the University of Chicago's commitment to fieldwork, Anderson transformed personal familiarity into systematic inquiry, giving voice to men often reduced to stereotype or civic nuisance. This book is essential for readers interested in sociology, urban history, labor studies, or homelessness. It remains valuable not only as a classic of qualitative research, but also as a humane, analytically rigorous portrait of marginal life in modern capitalism.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.9 (50)
Includes Goodreads
GenrePsychology
Length10 hrs 18 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 6, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5PART I
Show all chaptersShow less
6CHAPTER I HOBOHEMIA DEFINED
7“MAIN STEMS”
8THE “SLAVE MARKET”
9HOBOHEMIA’S PLAYGROUND
10“BUGHOUSE SQUARE”
11A “JUNGLE” ON THE LAKE FRONT
12WHY MEN COME TO CHICAGO
13THE PROBLEM DEFINED IN TERMS OF NUMBERS
14CHAPTER II THE JUNGLES: THE HOMELESS MAN ABROAD
15LOCATION AND TYPES OF JUNGLES
16THE LAWS OF THE JUNGLE
17THE MELTING POT OF TRAMPDOM
18CHAPTER III THE LODGING-HOUSE: THE HOMELESS MAN AT HOME
19THE “FLOPHOUSE”
20RESTAURANTS AND LUNCHROOMS
21OUTFITTING STORES AND CLOTHING EXCHANGES
22PAWN SHOPS
23MOVIES AND BURLESQUES
24BARBER COLLEGES AND BARBERS
25BOOKSTORES
26SALOONS AND SOFT DRINK STANDS
27THE HOUSING PROBLEM
28CHAPTER IV “GETTING BY” IN HOBOHEMIA
29WORKING AT ODD JOBS
30PEDDLING A DEVICE FOR “GETTING BY”
31STREET FAKING
32GRAFTS OLD AND NEW
33“WORKING THE FOLKS”
34“WHITE COLLAR” BEGGING
35BORROWING AND BEGGING
36STEALING
37“JACK ROLLING”
38“GETTING BY” IN WINTER
39THE GAME OF “GETTING BY”
40PART II
41CHAPTER V WHY DO MEN LEAVE HOME?
42SEASONAL WORK AND UNEMPLOYMENT
43THE INDUSTRIALLY INADEQUATE
44DEFECTS OF PERSONALITY
45CRISES IN THE LIFE OF THE PERSON
46RACIAL AND NATIONAL DISCRIMINATION
47WANDERLUST
48THE MULTIPLE EXPLANATION
49CHAPTER VI THE HOBO AND THE TRAMP
50THE SEASONAL WORKER
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