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zealotry on the part of politicians and policy makers. Shildrick addresses this issue briefly in chapter seven with reference to the concept of ‘wilful institutional ignorance’. I suspect that wilful institutional ignorance plays a role, but it is also easy to see how motivated reasoning plays a role, allowing harmful policies to be implemented in good faith rather than out of malice or ideological zeal. This, however, is not a serious fault as it is somewhat peripheral to the book’s central arguments. Poverty Propaganda: Exploring the Myths is a fine contribution that will benefit anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of poverty. It is clearly written, well-argued and backed by solid evidence. Lastly, Shildrick’s treatment of the subject matter is both compassionate and respectful.