Putnam is a Harvard social scientist, described in a book review as the “poet laureate of civil society.” (Jason DeParle, The New York Times Book Review.) He has written 14 previous books and is the cofounder of the Saguaro Seminar, a “research initiative that brings together leading thinkers and practitioners to develop actionable ideas for civic renewal” (284).

Silva is an emerging scholar in the field of inequality studies. Over the course of two years, Silva interviewed young adults and their parents from all over the country for this book.

Chelsea, an upper-class resident of Port Clinton, is profiled in Chapter 1. Her mother has a graduate degree and works part time; her father is a traveling sales manager. Her mother is a very involved parent; Chelsea worked on the high school yearbook, and her mother fought for Chelsea to get the yearbook scholarship when Chelsea wasn’t chosen for it. Chelsea is active in many other activities and always knew she would go to college. She plans to go to law school.