©2025 Fable Group Inc.
3.0 

How the Other Half Lives

By Jacob A. Riis
How the Other Half Lives by Jacob A. Riis digital book - Fable

Why read on Fable?

Discover social reading

Chat inside the ebook with emojis, comments and more

Annotate with notes, tabs, and highlights

Share or keep your notes private with our annotation features

Support the World Literacy Foundation

We donate 20% of every book sale to help children learn to read

Publisher Description

Jacob Riis's classic is an open window into a world unknown to most. Originally published in 1890, this classic inditement of slum life remains an outstanding example of the value of investigative journalism and its potential to change the world for the better.


Riis was one of the earliest "muck-rakers," which President Theodore Roosevelt defined as, "taking the rake to uncover the most unpleasant conditions in American society." In the case of Riis, the issue at hand was the dire predicament of thousands of immigrants living and working in horrendous conditions in the tenements of New York City in the late 1800s. How the Other Half Lives is a well thought out non-fiction work documenting the filth of the tenements, injustices of the sweatshops, and perils of child labor (among other wrongs) personally witnessed by Riis.


Jacob Riis, a Danish immigrant from the city of Ribe, was one of fifteen children. Upon reaching adulthood, Riis first apprenticed as a carpenter in the city of Copenhagen. Discouraged by the lack of employment available, he immigrated to the United States in 1870 at the youthful age of 21. In New York, he eventually found his way to a career in journalism. After accepting a position with The New York News Association, he started writing articles that covered both the wealthy and the impoverished.

 

Riis' career, and platform from which he could campaign for change, took a big step up when he took a job at the New York Tribune. In his new position, he began writing articles with the intent of enlightening the public on How the Other Half Lives. He decided to make it his purpose to explore and photograph this sad reality, hoping the exposure would help alleviate the terrible living and working conditions of the penniless.


Riis did just that by illuminating the filthy and revolting conditions of the "lower" classes to those in the upper and middle class best suited to make a difference. Riis' work was not in vain. His book led to decades of housing, sewer, and garbage collection improvements in the Lower East Side of New York City. This edition, which is illustrated with the photos he used, brings to life the experience of Jacob Riis as he uncovered the truth of How the Other Half Lives.

Start a Book Club

Start a public or private book club with this book on the Fable app today!

FAQ

Do I have to buy the ebook to participate in a book club?

Why can’t I buy the ebook on the app?

How is Fable’s reader different from Kindle?

Do you sell physical books too?

Are book clubs free to join on Fable?

How do I start a book club with this book on Fable?

Error Icon
Save to a list
0
/
30
0
/
100
Private List
Private lists are not visible to other Fable users on your public profile.
Notification Icon
Fable uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB