Storming Caesars Palace: How Black Mothers Fought Their Own War on Poverty

by Annelise Orleck

Book Overview

In Storming Caesars Palace, historian Annelise Orleck tells the compelling story of how a group of welfare mothers built one of this country's most successful antipoverty programs. Declaring "We can do it and do it better," these women proved that poor mothers are the real experts on poverty. In 1972 they founded Operation Life, which was responsible for many firsts for the poor in Las Vegas-the first library, medical center, daycare center,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807050318
• ISBN13: 9780807050316
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Stunning work on the struggles of black women in 1960s America

A perfect combination of personal stories and institutional constructions that depicts a vivid image of the struggle of the African-American woman in 1960s Nevada. An indepth critique of the legislation and individuals who prevented full equality and the steps brave, independent women took to try and ensure employment and a future for their children.

Definitely worth a read

A very through, informative foray into the world of political activism from a single mother's point of view. The stories of courage in this book can often get poignant. Reading "Growing up in Mississippi" by Anne Moody alongside this most definitely contributed to it.

Fabulous History

Storming Caesar's Palace follows a group of mothers on welfare as they fought to create one of the most successful community organizations in the history of the War on Poverty, delivering everything from health care to hot lunches to library services to thousands of children and adults in Las Vegas. Orleck focuses on years of research and interviews to tell the story through the women's own words, from their childhoods in Louisiana, through the black migration West, into the War on Poverty, the 70s and the Carter administration, and then through the Reagan cutback years. This is a great book for anyone interested in African-American history, women's history, or history of politics, welfare and poverty in the last 40 years, and it's also inspiring and accessible to college and even high school readers. The only flaw is in the editing; several interviews appear more than once, a bit disconcerting in a story that's purportedly chronologically organized, and the same goes for turns of phrase and whole sentences. Small drawbacks in an otherwise impressive work.

Succeeds at Every Level

Ms. Orleck has written quite a book: it is important as history and social commentary, it is instructive for organizers and activists and it is a heart warming story of the beloved Ruby Duncan and her associates who faced adversity, poverty and discrimination with intelligence, resourcefulness and courage. They fought an uphill bsttle for human rights and economic justice in Las Vegas, and they had some very significant victories. Lastly, it is inspiring, it spiritually recharges the reader to take on today's injustices. Though the author is a scholar of some distinction, the book is very readable and is told in the participants own words so it is very immediate and straightforward. It is wonderfully suitable for high school and college aged discussion groups in school or faith based organiztions. You'll never forget Ruby Duncan. Highly recommended for entertainment, instruction, inspiration or all three!