Debt relief has always been a central political question in U.S. politics—since quite literally the founding. How can we understand the unfolding politics of new forms of debt relief? Emily Zackin and Chloe Thurston articulate a persuasive account of how America’s primary debt relief policy regime—bankruptcy—evolved over time.

Of numerous scholarly treatments on our current crisis, the most helpful research (1) takes a longer view of federal institutions conferring rights to citizens, and (2) takes seriously the marginalized peoples' mobilization—especially in periods where we would least expect organizing. Zackin and Thurston's brilliant book successfully meets both marks, providing an important contribution on the contestation of "citizenship" and "democracy" over centuries.