An indispensable investigation into the American unemployment system and the ways gender and class affect the lives of those looking for work Through the intimate stories of those seeking work, The Tolls of Uncertainty offers a startling look at the nation’s unemployment system—who it helps, who it hurts, and what, if anything, we can do to make it fair. Drawing on interviews with one hundred men and women who have lost jobs across Pennsylvania, Sarah Damaske examines the ways unemployment shapes families, finances, health, and the job hunt. Damaske demonstrates that commonly held views of unemployment are either incomplete or just plain wrong. Shaped by a person’s gender and class, unemployment generates new inequalities that cast uncertainties on the search for work and on life chances beyond the world of work, threatening opportunity in America. Following in depth the lives of four individuals over the course of their unemployment experiences, Damaske offers insights into how the unemployed perceive their relationship to work. She reveals the high levels of blame that women who have lost jobs place on themselves, leading them to put their families’ needs above their own, sacrifice their health, and take on more tasks inside the home. This “guilt gap” illustrates how unemployment all too often exacerbates existing differences between men and women. Class privilege, too, gives some an advantage, while leaving others at the mercy of an underfunded unemployment system. Middle-class men are generally able to create the time and space to search for good work, but many others are bogged down by the challenges of poverty-level unemployment benefits and family pressures and fall further behind. Timely and engaging, The Tolls of Uncertainty posits that a new path must be taken if the nation’s unemployed are to find real relief.

Fired... Quit... A New Start... Or Just Fed Up... Let this book serve as your lantern to a brighter tomorrow. self-help * employment * entrepreneurship * self-discovery "I'm aware of the mixed feelings and emotions during this time of your job loss. There are knots in your stomach that serve as a reminder of the impeding concerns. You're anxious about tomorrow's turmoil. I know these feelings. I've felt them too during my times of unemployment. This means I've ventured through the valleys of uncertainty -- more than once." The book focuses on self-help, self-discovery, entrepreneurship, and employment. The chapters are transitional, and the hope of the book is to reawaken the reader's motivation -- to give some sense of direction by allowing the author's defeats give insight into the looming uncertainties that exist in an unemployed person's mind. "Unemployed or fearing unemployed, start at square one. Do as nature does. Squirrels gather acorns and bears prepare for hibernation; you too must gather your own acorns and prepare for hibernation." Whether terminated, fired, discharged, laid off, or aware of an upcoming turmoil, it's the actions taken now that will determine whether life becomes bountiful with enjoyment, or if this phase in life becomes an experience comparable to hell. "Electricity, shelter, and a safe place to sleep ... trump the need to preserve your credit score, or purchase a new gizmo." With unemployment at staggering new heights, many have lost their job. The question then becomes: What now? What does one do when abandoned by their second family? Too often the newspaper headlines inform us of the thousands, or millions, of jobs lost. It has become routine to read about the new round of layoffs -- so much so that it's discussed on porches in the same manner as approaching bad weather. And from this, many tend to blame themselves, and some will fall into a depression. Whatever is felt by you, understand that this experience isn't something to personalize; the termination was a business calculation. Put this ordeal behind you and move forward. Sure, rough patches and doubt will exist, but with a plan and preparation, this hurdle in life may soon prove to be the most enlightening. The book examines the route to take to become an entrepreneur. The book also contains exercises to guide you in finding your near ideal job. Learn how to choose a suit for a job interview, learn how to raise capital for new ventures, and ultimately, learn how to enjoy life. You will see the importance of discovering your life-balance. You will also learn how to invest in your own life portfolio. Reviews -------- "Prepare to be enlightened. Prepare to be a little disappointed, and even a little shocked at times as the author peels backs the cover on a part of America rarely seen. Prepare to be better informed about an eventual end more and more Americans are facing in this new economy. Long before the final page, you'll be glad you picked up this book." --Lee Adams, Comedian, and contributor "To say this book is a helpful guide for the unemployed would be grossly undervaluing its worth. While Mathis does give excellent advice for people seeking employment, he delves much deeper." -- BookAddict "This is a highly intelligent, well-written and insightful guide for those facing unemployment. In the introduction, it exposes in detail (using real examples and case studies) the often blatant greed and immorality of corporate America." -- Anna Elizabeth "He motivates, gives the hard truths, then follows-up with advice." -- Robin "If you are worried about not having a job soon, or have already lost your job, this book will help you turn your life around and put it back where you want it to be." -- Andrew David "I've ordered copies for my friends who are in a similar situation as well." -- Mark "You will find yourself "Recharged" and ready for the next step toward your future." -- 4moreshelflife

Betsy Taylor, Queen of the undead, has snagged a dream job in a shoe store (just like a normal person!). But when vampires start getting killed off, Betsy enlists the help of the sexy vampire Sinclair. Now she's really treading dangerous ground-but this time in brand-new high heels.

Tells how to apply for a grant, shares sources of funding from government agencies and private foundations, and lists addresses, amounts available, and special requirements

A self-help book to help the unemployed and their families cope more effectively during a time when they feel helpless.

One of the Believer’s Best Books of the Year: One woman’s journey through that awkward period between being born and dying. A modern odyssey about trying to find one’s home in the world, this collection of wickedly funny and offbeat vignettes touches upon quantum physics; the Donner Party; arctic exploration; Greek mythology; Rocky I, II, V, IV, VI, and III respectively; and literary immortality. Dating Tips for the Unemployed “melds novel, autobiography, and all manner of asides as [the author] flails at art, love, and friendship with the wry intelligence of someone just wise enough to realize they have no idea what they’re doing. A flat-out joy to read” (O, The Oprah Magazine). “In engaging episodes, Iris-the-character neurotically navigates dating in New York City, smokes pot on Greek islands with hapless lovers, drinks too much, deals with disapproving family, and eats a lot of cannoli. Smyles’s surreal, lyrical voice elevates these everyday scenarios into the realm of the fantastic and absurd. Included in the book are hilariously stylized advertisements full of false promises, such as ‘Health Secrets of the Roman Empire’ and ‘Have Your Portrait Painted By An Elephant!’ all for a price. Smyles is sharp, melancholy, and wickedly funny. She is unafraid to reveal and revel in her character’s flaws because it is what makes them so achingly, relatably human.” —Interview “Something like a cocktail of Dorothy Parker, James Joyce, and Philip Roth iced, sweetened, and blended.” —The Nervous Breakdown “Whimsy, satire, and rollicking social commentary . . . Ms. Smyles is a misanthrope-of-the-people, a standout on the order of Fran Lebowitz.” —The East Hampton Star