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The Russell Sage Foundation recently completed a major initiative to assess the effects of the Great Recession on the economic, political, and social life of the country. Officially over in 2009, the Great Recession is now generally acknowledged to be the most devastating global economic crisis since the Great Depression. Prolonged economic stagnation is likely to transform American institutions and severely erode the life chances of many Americans. To understand these effects across a broad swath of social and economic life, the Foundation identified 15 areas of inquiry—such as retirement, education, income and wealth—and funded proposals for innovative projects from a distinguished team of scholars.

Three new Recession Briefs summarizing research from the Great Recession initiative now are available for download. These reports use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) in order to analyze the effects of the Recession on families in the U.S.:

Chloe Anderson
Columbia Population Research Center
Cover image of the book The Celebration of the Fourth of July
Books

The Celebration of the Fourth of July

By Means of Pageantry
Author
William C. Langdon
Ebook
Publication Date
59 pages

About This Book

Published by the Division of Recreation of the Russell Sage Foundation, this pamphlet presents a number of suggestions for a safe celebration of the Fourth of July. It includes notes on Independence Day music considerations by Arthur Farwell, then supervisor of municipal concerts for New York City.

WILLIAM CHAUNCY LANGDON was Master of the Pageants of Thetford, Vermont (1911), and of St. Johnsbury, Vermont (1912).

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Cover image of the book Wage-Earning Pittsburgh
Books

Wage-Earning Pittsburgh

Editor
Paul Underwood Kellogg
Ebook
Publication Date
741 pages

About This Book

A volume of the Pittsburgh Survey, carried out by the Russell Sage Foundation in 1914.

PAUL UNDERWOOD KELLOGG was director of the Pittsburgh Survey.

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Cover image of the book The Pittsburgh District
Books

The Pittsburgh District

Civic Frontage
Editor
Paul Underwood Kellogg
Ebook
Publication Date
691 pages

About This Book

A volume of the Pittsburgh Survey carried out by the Russell Sage Foundation in 1914, focusing on Pittsburgh's history and growth, civic conditions, and education, recreation, and institutional facilities.

PAUL UNDERWOOD KELLOGG was director of the Pittsburgh Survey.

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Cover image of the book The Almshouse
Books

The Almshouse

Construction and Management
Author
Alexander Johnson
Ebook
Publication Date
292 pages

About This Book

Written by Alexander Johnson, a former inspector of almshouses, in 1911, The Almshouse: Construction and Management is a detailed look at the successful practices of various charity institutions around the world. The book also touches on several ineffective aspects behind badly managed almshouses witnessed by the author firsthand. Topics range from proper living-quarter design to mental health and to strategies for efficient administration. Drawing upon his experiences, as well as the reports of various state boards of charity, Johnson depicts what makes a well-managed, comfortable place for poor people to live in.

ALEXANDER JOHNSON was general secretary of the National Conference of Charities and Correction.

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Cover image of the book Sociology and the Military Establishment
Books

Sociology and the Military Establishment

Author
Morris Janowitz
Ebook
Publication Date
117 pages

About This Book

Prepared for the American Sociological Society in 1959, Sociology and the Military Establishment explores the relationship between the military and the possible contributions of sociologists, particularly after World War II. It argues for more effective utilization of sociological theory and research in the analysis of problems to the military and makes evident that research on military problems would provide extremely valuable opportunities for testing sociological theory and method.

MORRIS JANOWITZ was professor of sociology at the University of Michigan.

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Cover image of the book Housing in Springfield, Illinois
Books

Housing in Springfield, Illinois

A Study by the National Housing Association
Author
John Ihlder
Ebook
Publication Date
38 pages

About This Book

A volume of the Springfield Survey published in 1914, this report presents a clear idea of the housing conditions in Springfield at the time, as well as the methods taken to keep conditions up to standard. Topics include land overcrowding, unhealthy circumstances in apartments, and housing for miners, with an argument of what the city could do to improve conditions.

JOHN IHLDER, Springfield Survey Committee

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Cover image of the book Plans for a Model Jail
Books

Plans for a Model Jail

Author
R. W. Zimmerman
Ebook
Publication Date
18 pages

About This Book

Presented at the fifty-first congress of the American Prison Association in 1921, this pamphlet attempts to develop proper, universal plans for a model jail. Arguing that each prison would have specific building requirements and characteristics, the author presents several well-established canons of architecture and building which should be followed in any jail, emphasizing humane conditions and required needs. Printed with A Departmental Plan for a Detention Home for Delinquent Women by Maxwell Hyde.

R. W. ZIMMERMAN, prison architect, Chicago

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Cover image of the book Women as Munition Makers
Books

Women as Munition Makers

A Study of Conditions in Bridgeport, CT
Author
Amy Hewes
Ebook
Publication Date
168 pages

About This Book

This is a pamphlet of two reports on munition work during World War I, the second is by Henriette R. Walter, entitled Munition Workers in England and France: A Summary of Reports Issued by the British Ministry of Munitions.

AMY HEWES was professor of economics and sociology at Mount Holyoke College.

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