69 pages • 2 hours read
Mitchell DuneierSidewalk
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier is a true story about the author's exploration of the informal sidewalk economy in 1990s Greenwich Village, New York City. Duneier, guided by book vendor Hakim Hasan, becomes immersed in the lives of lower-income vendors, scavengers, and panhandlers. He analyzes the sociopolitical factors that drive them to leave the formal economy and the supportive dynamics within this community. The book also examines the influence of Jane Jacobs's urban theories and the impact of new policing tactics on these street vendors. Topics of racism, socioeconomic struggles, and heavy policing are discussed.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mitchell Duneier's Sidewalk offers a compelling ethnographic study of street vendors in Greenwich Village, highlighting significant sociological insights and humanizing its subjects. Critics praise its depth of research and empathy, though some argue the narrative can be overly detailed. Overall, it is celebrated for its accessible writing and nuanced portrayal of urban life.
Who Should Read Sidewalk?
A reader who would enjoy Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier likely has a strong interest in urban sociology, street culture, and ethnographic studies. Fans of Sudhir Venkatesh's Gang Leader for a Day or Elijah Anderson's Code of the Street will appreciate Duneier's in-depth exploration of street vendors' lives on New York City's sidewalks.