This book explores the contemporary conditions of marginal work within the context of
persistent unemployment poverty and homelessness in wealthy nations. Drawing from research
concerning three cities¿Melbourne San Francisco and London¿Jessica Gerrard offers a rich
account of one of the most precarious informal forms of work: selling homeless street press
(The Big Issue and Street Sheet). Combining analyses of sellers¿ everyday work experiences with
theorizations of marginality working and learning Gerrard provides much-needed insight into
contemporary forms of entrepreneurial and precarious work. This book demonstrates that those
who are unemployed and seemingly unproductive are in fact highly productive. They value
desire and seek practical work experience whilst also struggling to fulfill the basic needs
that many of us take for granted.
