Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

The Wage Gap, edited by Christian Fisanick. 193 pp. Detroit, MI. Greenhaven Press, 2008. ISBN: 978–0–7377–3968–8. $36.20.

This volume from the Current Controversies series, which addresses a broad spectrum of social and political issues, examines the controversies that surround wage disparities—including those between the sexes and among employees from different races, economic backgrounds and educational levels. The introduction describes events leading to the proposed Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and while the author points out that “It remains to be seen whether the (Fair Pay Act) will become law,” she notes that “discriminations about its ramifications are sure to continue,” thus setting the tone for the rest of the volume. Each of the four chapters that follow begins with a preface that provides background material to a specific question regarding the wage gap. The viewpoints within each chapter include diverse opinions about the issue of pay as well as alternative solutions to the debate; the format will offer readers an opportunity to enhance their critical thinking skills. The first chapter’s essays examine whether the wage gap between men and women is narrowing. The second chapter contains four essays addressing the causes of the wage gap between the rich and the poor. In his essay entitled “Executives Earn Their High Salaries,” Ira T. Kay comments that “while I condemn illegal actions and criticize boards that reward executives who fail to produce positive financial results, I know that the vast majority of U.S. corporations do much better by their shareholders and the public…I have never witnessed board members straining to find a way to pay an executive more than he is worth.” Other essays explore how greater opportunities for the rich, as well as foreign competition and technology, widen and contribute to the wage gap. The third chapter looks at the wage gap between the races and offers diverse answers to whether or not discrimination is the cause. The essays in the final chapter respond to the question of whether or not education is key to reducing the wage gap. The annotated table of contents provides a succinct overview of each essay and the brief descriptions of each author offer further background. The list of organizations to contact expedites further inquiry. A bibliography of books and periodicals and a general index conclude the volume. Recommended for high school and public libraries.