This is a two-volume encyclopedia containing 170 alphabetical, cross-referenced entries--from "Jane Addams" to "Works Progress Administration"--detailing historical aspects of governmental involvement in fighting poverty in the United States. The essays cover policy directives, legislations, important individuals, organizations, and concepts, including, to name just a few, the Black Panther Party, child abuse and poverty, the Civil Rights Movement, Eugene Debs, the earned income tax credit, the Family and Medical Leave Act, homeless shelters, Herbert Hoover, the Indian New Deal, labor unions, living-wage laws, Huey Long, the National Labor Relations Act, private charity, Margaret Sanger, segregation laws, teen pregnancy prevention, and vouchers. Also included are introductory essays describing poverty responses at the levels of local, state, federal, and tribal governments. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)