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Adam Shepard graduated from college feeling disillusioned by the apathy around him and was then incensed after reading Barbara Ehrenreich's famous work Nickel and Dimed-a book that gave him a feeling of hopelessness about the working class in America. He set out to disprove Ehrenreich's theory-the notion that those who start at the bottom stay at the bottom-by making something out of nothing to achieve the American Dream.
Shepard's plan was simple. With a sleeping bag, the clothes on his back, and $25 in cash, and restricted from using his contacts or college education, he headed out for Charleston, South Carolina, a randomly selected city with one objective: to work his way out of homelessness and into a life that would give him the opportunity for success. His goal was to have, after one year, $2,500, a working automobile, and a furnished apartment.
Scratch Beginnings is the earnest and passionate account of Shepard's struggle to overcome the pressures placed on the homeless. His story will not only inspire readers but will also remind them that success can come to anyone who is willing to work hard-and that American is still one of the most hopeful countries in the world.
Recent college graduate Shepard is tired of hearing people complain about what they don't have. In this rebuttal to Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed and Bait and Switch, he sets off to see how far he can get by starting in Charleston, SC, with $25 and the clothes on his back. His goal is to finish 365 days later with a functioning car, a furnished apartment, and $2500 and be in a position to continue improving his circumstances. Along the way, he lives in a homeless shelter, befriends some interesting characters, and learns things the hard way. Shepard is wise to acknowledge the factors that play to his advantage in his experiment (e.g., he's healthy and does not have a dependent family). This story may inspire young people to realize how one's attitudes and foundational beliefs about society can influence where one goes in life. Shepard's conclusions and recommendations seem a bit simplistic but do not significantly detract from the book's overall impact. Recommended for public, high school, and undergraduate libraries.
—Elizabeth L. Winter
Chapter One
Welcome to Crisis Ministries
Tuesday, July 25
There was nobody there.
There has always been somebody there to greet me. After every trip I've taken, it's either been Ma or Pops, a friend, a girlfriend, or, once, even a professor.
But not that night.
Nope. All that welcomed me was the humid evening air of Charleston, South Carolina, the rancid smell of urine leaking from the stalls of the train station's restrooms, and a scruffy looking man gripping a plastic cup half full with coins. That night, I was greeted by a totally new world.
But that was to be expected. I had been preparing for the unpleasant insecurity of this first night ever since my brother had dropped me off earlier in the day at the Amtrak station in Raleigh on his way to work. I had been preparing for my first moment of freedom for far longer than I could remember.
There are plenty of ways to get from Raleigh to Charleston, the city that I had randomly picked out of a hat of twelve other southeastern U.S. cities. You can drive or fly or hitchhike or take the bus. The ambitious, I suppose, could bike or run, but this wasn't that kind of journey. I chose the train because, economically speaking, it was the most efficient choice. And really, I chose to ride the rail for selfish reasons. I didn't want to have to bother with goodbyes once I got to South Carolina's premier port city. Surely whoever dropped me off would have hung over my shoulder for a while to make sure everything was okay.
And I'm glad I chose the train. Even if I had somehow known ahead of time that the ride would beuncomfortable and would arrive three hours late in Charleston, I still would have chosen the train. As it wound along Garner Road, the slow pace of southbound train number 5630 gave me an opportunity to say farewell to my previous life. Yep, that's the same Garner Road that takes you past the YMCA where I lifted weights with Bill, Charles, and Rod and where Jack had taught me how to shoot three-pointers with remarkable precision when I was just twelve years old. It goes past Rock Quarry Road, which takes you to Southeast Raleigh High School where Mr. Geraghty had inspired me to maintain my dreams on the basketball court but to also hold on to my education as a safety net, and past Aversboro Road, which will bring you to within fifty feet of the front doorstep of the home where I grew up. It goes past a collection of fast food joints and retail shops where I ate and shopped, but never worked, and past the sun-tanned tobacco fields that represent a lifestyle far beyond my comprehension, even for a boy from the South.
And now, here I was, alone in Charleston at the corner of Rivers and Durant, wondering if it would be wiser for me to go left or right or if pitching camp under the overpass for the night would be my best option. After all, it was getting late. At least I assumed it was getting late. The actual time? Couldn't have told you. But it was well after dark, and I hadn't seen one person since I had walked away from the train station.
A big-body, black Oldsmobile with tinted windows glided by with a suspiciously high regard of the speed limit.
The tattered map of Charleston that I had found on a vacant seat at the train station was going to prove to be useful. With it, I could more or less find my way on my own. Without it, I would be left to rely on the advice of strangers for guidance.
My first order of business was to find a comfortable place to sleep. Shoot, it didn't even have to be a comfortable place to sleep—just a place, a relatively safe place. As far as I could tell from the assortment of landmarks dispersed throughout the peninsula on the map, the action was happening south of my current location. Perhaps I was being naïve in what could have been a crucial mistake, but I figured that the excitement and opportunity of my new homeland were directly correlated. With excitement came opportunity, and I was looking for opportunity. Left it was.
After walking down Rivers Avenue, and walking some more down Rivers Avenue, the notion of time still hadn't hit me, especially with the expected 6:47 p.m. arrival time of the train prolonged. All I knew was it was dark out—pitch-black dark—and Murphy's Law had thrown off my mental preparations for the trip. A guy asked if I had any spare change.
"No, sorry," I said. I thought about retaliating with, "Do you have some for me? Cuz, uh, I'm actually running a little short myself." But, of course, I didn't. I had always accepted and even appreciated the vagrants that strung a guitar or blew on a saxophone or showcased some other talent at the park or at a subway stop underground, but I had never had any respect for the laziness of beggars.
The sign under Johnson's Chiropractic Clinic illuminated 10:14 and eighty-one degrees. Wendy's and Captain D's Seafood appeared on the right, and my nerves began to ease. Finally! Something familiar. With a little more bounce in my step and determination in my mind, I made the executive—yet uneducated—decision to keep hiking toward downtown for my first night of sleep.
The nagging barks of dogs cooped up in distant neighborhoods didn't bother me as much as the cars whizzing by at blistering speeds. But then again, even the cars didn't bother me as much as the lightning. Terrific! Lightning. Murphy was on a roll.
Or was that just heat lightning? What is heat lightning anyway? Is that the lightning that strikes between clouds or between a cloud and the air? Is it going to rain?
Scratch Beginnings. Copyright © by Adam Shepard. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.Acknowledgments ix
Disclaimer and Author's Notes xi
Introduction July 24-Setting Up xiii
1 Welcome to Crisis Ministries 1
2 Easy Labor 15
3 Another Day, Another Dollar 31
4 Big Babies 47
5 Sundays with George 59
6 Hustle Time 73
7 Job Hunting 101 with Professor Phil Coleman 85
8 Put Up or Shut Up 95
9 "First and Last Day" 105
10 Adventures in Moving 121
11 Movin'on up 135
12 Workers' Consternation 155
13 Winter with Bubble Gum 169
14 Culture Shocked 183
15 Fighting for Respect 195
16 One Last Move 203
Epilogue: A Year Later: A Didactic Look at What I Learned and Where I Go from Here 211
Roy_Young
Posted Sun Mar 27 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I thought this was a great book that demonstrates what can be accomplished with hard work, determination and clear goals. I am planning on buying copies for my nieces and nephews who are currently in college or about to start.
There is a lot of negativity these days about the American Dream being dead. I think this book demonstrates that while the road isn't easy, it is still very possible to start with virtually nothing and make something of yourself. While the author clearly had the advantage of an education,although he didn't claim to have a degree in his job search, he still had the benefit of the decision making skills an education brings with it that others in his predicament may not have. What Adam Shepard was able to accomplish in a mere 365 days starting with nothing is an inspiration for anyone who is starting off well ahead of where Adam was when he started his project.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Feb 17 00:00:00 EST 2011
I enjoyed the sample but the file had problems. It repeated several passages. This was confusing and annoying. I would like to read more but won't buy because of this.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Mar 21 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Okay, first off, this book is suchhhhhh an easy read.
It will give you a different outlook toward the homeless and poverty-stricken with a glimpse into their everyday lives. There's nothing TOO crazy or many wild stories in the book, but it is 100% REAL and so unique. I would recommend it to absolutely anyone, either as just an eye-opener or a means to confirm people's dreams.
So I know he is not an author, just a guy with a story to tell. But I hate how he tends to 'ruin the surprise' alot. There is not much suspense on what will happen to him; he usually gives it away beforehand. But the stories are still really unique nonetheless. I hate how he never tells you people's race or descriptions of their appearances. His attempt at political correctness (I'm assuming) makes it so much harder to really visualize the characters. I also wish we could have known more, or ANYTHING really, about Mickey. I mean, he lived in his house for 2 months, and he never once even mentioned him.
Now to go a little deeper into the social science aspect of it, I have to say that I don't completely agree with his 'steps' for appeasing the cycle of poverty that he discusses in the epilogue. I do, however, admire his passion and concern for this epidemic. In my opinon, you can fund programs and preach and teach all you want, but what has to happen is people have to quit being so apathetic and have a completely different attitude and work ethic. Once people do get a more positive and productive attitude, then maybe these resources will be able to help them. But they have to help themselves first!! Okay, I don't want to get all political in a book review, but contrary to what he thinks, that is NOT the government's place.
Like I said, I would recommend this book to ANYONE I know, so go out and get it! This is probably the only book I have ever read that I think every person in America at any age could appreciate.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is probably one of the best books ever. I wish I would have read this one after nickel and dimed in america. Adam Shepard had the guts to do it right when he set out to see what it would be like to start with nothing. I didnt want to put the book down, it had me laughing in parts of it and totally amazed in others. Really awesome job. More please!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Mar 21 00:00:00 EDT 2009
This was truly an awesome book. It was so down to earth and parts of it were very funny. It was a life-changing book.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Nov 21 00:00:00 EST 2008
This book, from my very first glance intrigued me. The concept that the author is expanding and trying to live upon is pretty original and I applaud someone for going this far in their "studies" to find an answer. <BR/>Unfortunately, that's about the most interesting part of this book. The idea.<BR/>The execution, though I don't doubt was difficult for our narrator, comes out in the book in a very nonchalaunt manner. There is nothing within the narrative that really can keep you engrossed and ultimately the book leaves you kind of unfeeling when it's all said and done.<BR/>Also, the final chapter, about looking back, comes off as having been written far before he took this journey and seems more of a sanctimonious political rant based on the authors own beliefs, instead of really being based on his experiences. While reading it, I felt no connection between it and the rest of the book at all. Instead I felt I were reading a dissertation from an idealistic college student who had not yet set foot into the harshness of the real world, not someone who had just for a year lived it. <BR/>I'd recommend it to anyone who finds the idea expressed, like myself, appealing. In that, you can take an appreciation of the effort and sacrifice involved away. But, much like the books by barbara ehrenreich that the author claims to want to disprove, it ends up as an ultimately poor written political farce.<BR/>Maybe it'd had been better as a documentary?
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2011
Reviewing this book is difficult. Taking on this project was quite brave. What Shepard accomplishes is amazing. But we're not reviewing his journey, we're reviewing his book. Right at the beginning, Shepard makes sure we all know he's not a writer. Sorry man, you're writing a book. I will judge you as a writer and an author. The entire book reads like a blog instead of a novel. Often times, Shepard will go off on a random tangent in the middle of a chapter, and he never really comes back to where it started. It seems like he has too many ideas and lacks the writing skill to put them all on paper. As far as his project, I don't think it necessarily disproves Bait and Switch. The author shows that with hard work, you can claw your way out of homelessness. With hard work, Shepard work his way UP TO poverty, not out of poverty. At the end of the journey, he was working a dead end job slinging boxes and had some money in savings. I fail to see how he planned to actually work out of poverty and into middle class. He didn't lay out any plans or strategies. He simply says "I have a crappy job with no opportunity for improvement and some cash in the bank". I give respect to Shepard for what he accomplished. However, he writes as if he's blogging his project instead of writing a book. I think he makes some sweeping conclusions that are incorrect. But he does show that with hard work, the homeless don't really have to be homeless.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.An enjoyable and an interesting insight into a world I hope never to be part of. Shepard does a solid job of investigating what it takes to start from scratch in the US. Not overly political (like "Nickle and Dimed" is), just a look at one person's experience with arriving into a strange town with very limited resources, and the process to get started with a new life.
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Posted Sat Apr 02 00:00:00 EDT 2011
This book is about more than a man and his goal to see if it is possible to live the American Dream, it is about the willpower we all have inside of us to be, do, or have anything we want in life. Everyone has a goal or aspiration; whether it would be losing weight, quitting smoking or just making an effort to save a penny here and there. We also, all have a choice of whether or not we are willing to put in the effort into accomplishing our ambitions. What Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream by Adam Shepard has proven to me is that EVERYONE is capable of pursuing and successfully accomplishing their goals no matter how big nor small they may be. Shepard, through his year-long project of trying to work his way out of homelessness, could possibly work as an inspiration to those who have 'thrown the towel in' and are certain that there is no way of succeeding. The men that Shepard meets (Marcos, Phil Coleman, Easy E, etc.) are truly personified examples of dedication proven by their aim toward escaping the grasp of hardship and onto the solid ground of social and economic stability. I enjoyed the fact that he shared each of these men's stories throughout Scratch Beginnings because it shows that the homeless are more than lazy and mindless, but most are goal-oriented and rational people who have been caught up in unfortunate circumstances.
I definitely recommend that everyone reads this book no matter ones age, as long as he or she is willing to accept and learn that they are in charge of their own life (This book does contain profanity and suggestive material so only read it if you consider yourself mature). Overall, I liked the book because it definitely hit home. Making an effort to keep up with my education seems like nothing compared to the men and women who everyday struggle to live while on the streets, the people slaved to the needles and blunts that destroy all hopes for success, and the single-mothers strive to make the life of their children better than they had it. Scratch Beginnings has a lesson to teach everyone.
MaxineRae
Posted Mon Nov 08 00:00:00 EST 2010
This book is awesome. It has changed my perspective on life so much, and I am only in high school.
The best quote in the book that helped me come to this realization is: "no matter what life throws at you, you can take a hold of it and make something better out of it."
Definitely read this book!!
I picked this book up because Dave Ramsey recommended it. This is the story about how the American Dream is alive and well. I don't know if I could have done what Adam did. That took a lot of guts. Strange city with only $25 and the clothes on his back. This book was an interesting read to say the least. Once you start.you can't put the book down. I found myself cheering for Adam's success. It gave me hope that ANYONE can succeed in the United States of America! You are in control of your own destiny. You have a choice to make. Are you going to succeed or are you going to just follow the crowd? Make your choice. Get this book and be inspired!
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Posted Tue Dec 09 00:00:00 EST 2008
I Also Recommend:
Scratch Beginnings: Me $25, And The Search for the AMERICAN DREAM tells the story on one young man who is out to make a difference in the world. Adam Shepard embarks on a once of a lifetime trip in order to seek out the ¿American Dream¿. He selects a random town, takes twenty-five dollars, a pair of clothes, and prepares himself to undergo in an adventure to move away from lower class, and make a true life for himself. In this novel self-identity comes up an extraordinary amount of times. During Adam¿s time at the shelter he realizes how important it is to be more comfortable with yourself than any other person on Earth. He begins to learn that not everything about him is based on what others think of him. Embedded in the pages is the message that hard work and determination can allow you to reach many more goals than thought possible, Adam Shepard proved this point. <BR/> There isn¿t many things that I could say weren¿t good about this novel. Throughout the story, weather it was one of Adam¿s stories, a friend¿s story, or someone living at the shelter, it made me seriously take a step back and realize how truly fortunate I am. Along with the novel, Summer¿s Stars, this has inspired me more than any other story I¿ve read to accomplish what I believe is necessary and to value the possessions I own everyday. Personally, this biography isn¿t about, an extraordinary person, it¿s about an ¿average Joe¿, like you and me, achieving what is right. This biography isn¿t packed with the hundreds of literary terms which analysts today find necessary, to make a novel great. This is about how one person can truly make a difference in thousands of other people¿s lives.<BR/> To any wondering, I would instantly recommend this book to you. Sometimes we don¿t have the best days that we¿ve seen; sometimes we don¿t realize what we have around us and how valuable that is. This story will open your eyes, if it doesn¿t I¿m not sure what will. To those of us believing that the members of the underclass do nothing but sleep on park benches, you are wrong. From day to day life most of these men do their best to-as Adam Shepard calls it- ¿get out¿. Men like Adam in the lower-class work their very hardest every day to get out, something not all of the more privileged can say. <BR/> Overall this was a great read for me. Never again will I look at the world the same way; never again will I take my resources for granted like in the past. On my scale, this book receives a solid five out of five.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Oct 05 00:00:00 EDT 2008
Scratch Beginnings was a refreshing break from the nature of most non fiction that deal with social issues that are loaded with facts and numbers that you forget by the end of the book. This book didn't deal with the causes of homelessness or the different problems that can be acquired if you are homeless 'drug addiction'. It's merely a story of someone trying to make it with the cards they're dealt in a completely foreign environment. I know there are many criticisms for this book, but Shepard does well to answer them in the first stages of the book.
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Posted Tue Sep 23 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I enjoyed the book, and appreciated what the author was trying to prove - that he could start out with nothing and reach his goal of living independently, having a car, a job, and money in the bank. But I think the author succeeded because he was smart and had a goal and planned to work hard to reach the goal. I think most homeless and other bottom rung people live for only for the day. They are lazy and content with living off the backs of others. I say this with some knowledge because I have a family member who lives off the government and other people. There is no plan to change because what is the incentive? As long as there are handouts, free shelters, soup kitchens, etc., those people will not change their ways. They will not work a steady job, or work at all. I did enjoy the book, however, and admired the author for his hard work and willingness to become the bottom rung in order to prove that you can rise above it, if you want to.
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Overview
Adam Shepard graduated from college feeling disillusioned by the apathy around him and was then incensed after reading Barbara Ehrenreich's famous work Nickel and Dimed-a book that gave him a feeling of hopelessness about the working class in America. He set out to disprove Ehrenreich's theory-the notion that those who start at the bottom stay at the bottom-by making something out of nothing to achieve the American Dream.
Shepard's plan was simple. With a sleeping bag, the ...