Why, with all the philanthropic giving in the United States, does the country still have so many social problems? Why do we glorify the private sector at the expense of providing basic needs such as affordable housing and medical insurance to our fellow citizens? These are some of the thought-provoking and controversial questions posed by David Wagner in his most recent book, What's Love Got to Do With It? A Critical Look at American Charity.

In his debunking of charitable giving in America, Wagner traces the origins of the charitable mystique from an historical and sociological perspective. Highlighting the often-overlooked aspects of European-American mistreatment of Native Americans, he describes offenses committed by armies of religious missionaries and philanthropists in their quest to assimilate Native Americans into a more "civilized" way of life.

Next, Wagner examines the role of charitable giving in the United States and calls into question its sanctity and efficacy. Throughout the book, he maintains that the country's philanthropy industry only serves to legitimize and prop up the weakest public welfare system in the industrialized world. The author argues that the praise heaped upon wealthy donors and corporations does little to eradicate poverty or social injustices and only serves to uphold the current climate of social inequality. And, proving he's an equal-opportunity critic, he finishes by taking to task the tens of thousands of nonprofit organizations in America today, charging that their primary function is to siphon off funds that, in other countries, would be made available for public spending.

In the final analysis, Wagner's gimlet-eyed depiction of modern philanthropy as a cover for the harshness of America's free-market system raises sobering questions and is guaranteed to spark debate. Thoroughly researched and passionately argued, What's Love Got to Do With It? is a fascinating read for donors, policymakers, and advocates for a more just society.

For citations to additional literature on this topic, refer to Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online using the subject headings "Philanthropy-analysis" or "Philanthropy — attitudes."