'How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York' Summary

In *How the Other Half Lives*, Jacob Riis, a Danish immigrant and police reporter, delves into the hidden world of New York City's tenements, revealing the plight of its impoverished inhabitants. Through stark photographs and vivid descriptions, he exposes the grim realities of overcrowded housing, rampant disease, and the struggle for survival. Riis documents the squalor of living conditions, including lack of sanitation, inadequate ventilation, and the spread of tuberculosis and other illnesses. He also highlights the struggles of immigrants trying to make a life in the city, facing discrimination and exploitation. The book vividly captures the harsh realities of poverty and its impact on families and individuals, and the social and political conditions that contributed to their plight. *How the Other Half Lives* is a powerful indictment of the neglect and indifference of the upper classes towards the marginalized, and a call for social reform to address the inequities of urban life.