Jacqueline Pope is assistant professor of political science at Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey, with a PhD in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

A well-organized and well-written, if narrow, description of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council (B-WAC). Founded in 1967, B-WAC was the only organization managed by welfare clients as a result of grass-roots efforts. B-WAC members formed about one third of the better-known National Welfare Rights Organization. The amazing story of how women receiving public assistance challenged traditional views of poverty and demanded fundamental changes in the institution of social welfare seems a less astounding accomplishment than it actually was because of Pope's sometimes overly restrained, methodical prose. The author examines what motivated the women to organize and what social policies and attitudes changed or did not change as a result. Pope also examines the questions of whether organization or mobilization is most effective as an avenue of positive change for low-income people; what strengths and weaknesses B-WAC had; and what the entire effort implies for other programs that encourage grass-roots leadership. . . . Pope's book is a good beginning for the story. Public and undergraduate libraries.

• The BackgroundThe Nature of America's and New York City's Welfare SystemActivists and Resources of a MovementOrganized Recipients Begin Challenging Social InstitutionsThe Brooklyn Welfare Action CouncilSummary, Findings and RecommendationsBibliographyIndex

Jacqueline Pope is assistant professor of political science at Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey, with a PhD in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

A well-organized and well-written, if narrow, description of the Brooklyn Welfare Action Council (B-WAC). Founded in 1967, B-WAC was the only organization managed by welfare clients as a result of grass-roots efforts. B-WAC members formed about one third of the better-known National Welfare Rights Organization. The amazing story of how women receiving public assistance challenged traditional views of poverty and demanded fundamental changes in the institution of social welfare seems a less astounding accomplishment than it actually was because of Pope's sometimes overly restrained, methodical prose. The author examines what motivated the women to organize and what social policies and attitudes changed or did not change as a result. Pope also examines the questions of whether organization or mobilization is most effective as an avenue of positive change for low-income people; what strengths and weaknesses B-WAC had; and what the entire effort implies for other programs that encourage grass-roots leadership. . . . Pope's book is a good beginning for the story. Public and undergraduate libraries.

• The BackgroundThe Nature of America's and New York City's Welfare SystemActivists and Resources of a MovementOrganized Recipients Begin Challenging Social InstitutionsThe Brooklyn Welfare Action CouncilSummary, Findings and RecommendationsBibliographyIndex