Robert Doar explores the history and future trajectory of welfare policy in America. Weaving together personal anecdotes and statistical insights, he explains the significant progress that has been made to alleviate poverty in past decades. At the same time, he maps out many of the obstacles still standing in the way of further advances. Developed through his own decades of experience and influenced by his father’s public service, Robert outlines the most important features of an effective anti-poverty program that promotes work, family life, and civil society in order to lay the groundwork for a more prosperous America.