Why can’t the poor escape poverty? Esther Duflo and Abhijit V. Banerjee went deep into 18 impoverished countries and regions on five continents to explore the causes of poverty and possible solutions. They examined the daily life, education, health, economic situation of the poor, and government policies and assistance from non-governmental organizations. Based on the results of randomized controlled trials, Duflo and Banerjee put forward many practical suggestions that guide policymakers, philanthropists, and others committed to poverty alleviation.