Crimes of Charity by Konrad Bercovici
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"Crimes of Charity" by Konrad Bercovici is a scathing critique of organized charity systems, written in the early 20th century. The book exposes the harsh realities faced by the impoverished, while highlighting the contradictions and failures within the charitable institutions designed to help them. The opening chapters introduce the reader to various characters within the system, including investigators and applicants, showcasing the cold bureaucracy that often prioritizes its own interests over the
welfare of the needy. The beginning of the narrative presents a parable about a merciful man whose charitable intentions are subverted by his greedy brother, setting a tone of disillusionment and betrayal. Following this parable, the protagonist, an investigator named Baer, begins his journey at a charity institution, encountering a grim world where applicants are treated with suspicion and disdain. Baer's interactions with both the severely impoverished applicants and the self-serving charity officials reveal a systemic cruelty masked as benevolence, suggesting that the very foundation of charity often leads to the perpetuation of suffering rather than alleviating it. This opening portion effectively sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the moral implications surrounding organized charity, as Baer grapples with the reality of his role in an unjust system. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Bercovici, Konrad, 1882-1961 |
|---|---|
| Author of introduction, etc. | Reed, John, 1887-1920 |
| LoC No. | 17015181 |
| Title | Crimes of Charity |
| Credits |
Produced by Greg Bergquist, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 83.4 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | HV: Social sciences: Social pathology, Social and Public Welfare |
| Subject | Charity organization |
| Subject | Charities -- New York (State) -- New York |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 42363 |
| Release Date | Mar 18, 2013 |
| Last Update | Oct 23, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 471 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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