Jim Silver Books

"This book examines the real life circumstances of low-income people who are forced to live in poor housing. It examines the history and current status of low-income housing in one typical Canadian city, Winnipeg. Poverty and racism and a consistent unwillingness on the part of governments to invest in decent housing for low-income people are themes that are found throughout the book. It offers a close examination of some of the serious challenges faced by low-income people in poor housing, including difficulties with landlords who abuse their power, and challenges with bedbugs and a wide range of other social and psychological problems. The book considers the particular housing problems faced by Aboriginal people and by newcomers newly arrived in the city, as well as single individuals living in rooming houses. The central role played by all three levels of government in the provision of decent quality, affordable housing for low-income people is considered. A cost-benefit analysis of the provision of social--that is, subsidized--housing is included, and it finds that for society as a whole, the benefits of providing subsidized housing for low-income people far outweigh the costs. And a number of creative and successful housing strategies for low-income people are described, including Aboriginal housing co-ops, a revitalized public housing complex, and a highly creative repurposing of an inner city church, whose congregation has largely left for the suburbs, into supported social housing. In these successful cases, communities and governments have worked cooperatively to good effect."-- Provided by publisher

Scoundrels and Shirkers examines the deep relationship between capitalism and poverty in England since the 12th century. It exposes the dynamics of capitalism, from its origins in the long transition from feudalism to its current crisis under neoliberal capitalism, in producing poverty. The book, unique in the historical breadth of its focus, shows conclusively that poverty is an inevitable consequence of capitalism. In the search for profits and control of society's economic surplus, capitalism expands, adapts and innovates, producing not only commodities and wealth but also, and necessarily, poverty. With the partial but important exception of the 1945-51 period, and to a lesser extent the time between 1906 and 1914, there has never been a serious attempt to solve poverty. Efforts have always been to manage and control the poor to prevent them from starving or rebelling; to punish and blame them for being poor; and to force them into poverty-level jobs. Any real solution would require the logic of capitalism to be deeply disrupted. While possible in theory, such a change will require massive social movements.

Focusing on the intersection of crime television and real-life legal procedures, this guide addresses common questions viewers have about criminal law. It clarifies concepts such as the roles of suspects and their rights, as well as distinctions between accomplices and conspirators. Aimed at the dedicated audiences of crime dramas, both fictional and true, this book demystifies the legal intricacies often portrayed on screen, providing insights that enhance the understanding of crime narratives.

For a country as wealthy as Canada, poverty is utterly unnecessary. In About Canada: Poverty, Jim Silver illustrates that poverty is about more than a shortage of money: it is complex and multifaceted and can profoundly damage the human spirit. At the centre of this analysis are Canada's neoliberal economic policies, which have created conditions

Minor problems to major predators. Setting the stage ; What is a psychopath? ; The almost psychopath ; Could it be something else? -- Dealing with almost psychopaths in our lives. Living with an almost psychopath ; Recognizing almost psychopathic traits in children ; Working with an almost psychopath ; Confronting child abuse by almost psychopaths ; Adults as victims : confronting almost psychopaths in the helping professions ; Sick or slick? : malingering and manipulation of illness ; What to do when you find yourself in almost psychopath territory -- Appendix A. Diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder -- Appendix B. Defining a mental disorder using the axes of the diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR)