In America at Risk: The Crisis of Hope, Trust, and Caring, Robert Perrucci and Carolyn C. Perrucci identify the broad economic and technological changes that have led to the loss of high wage jobs, declining opportunity, and increased income and wealth inequality. These changes have altered the way that Americans think about themselves, their future, and the lives of their children and neighbors. Focusing on the erosion of trust, hope, and caring between and among Americans and their social institutions, the authors confront the challenge by proposing policies that will build hope (through jobs and wages) in order to promote greater trust of institutions and more caring for the less fortunate. Examining data from the past thirty-year period, Perrucci and Perrucci apply a critical sociological lens to view the dominant economic, political, and cultural institutions that have shaped the main social problems facing Americans. They challenge Americans to act on behalf of their individual and collective interests by becoming informed and involved in developing new solutions to improve their lives.

"This book sharply examines employment, educational, community, and familial experiences as they vary across race, age, class, gender and geographic location. Illustrative, eye-opening facts and figures abound . . .Books like America at Risk , while certainly not pretending to have all the answers to society's ills, can aid in starting a dialogue, if not actually getting things moving forward." - Tilth Creative Collaborative, November 20, 2009

"The many volumes that Robert Perrucci and Carolyn Perrucci have written over the past decades on plant closings, class inequality, work, women, and the family have culminated in this impressive book emphasizing the social consequences of the deindustrializating economy of the United States....America at Risk is clear and concise, providing essential information without overloading." - Contemporary Sociology

"Impressive book. . . . The Perruccis use their critical sociological perspective to extend an analysis of not just the economic crisis itself, but how that crisis has led to a cultural and institutional crossroads.. . . . America at Risk argues for the recognition of the most compelling racial grievances and a program focused on the "class politics.". . . . America at Risk will find an audience within the academy as a framework for sociologists and public policy experts researching which features of the current economic crisis will significantly shape popular perceptions around hope, trust, and caring....America at Risk is clear and concise, providing essential information without overloading." - Contemporary Sociology, May 7 2010