The book provides a dichotomy of the general technique of problem handling in the United States; i.e., getting even or punishing the adversary, and the reverse of this, problem solving; and discusses the two aspects in the context of the war on poverty. The second and third chapters discuss various definitions of the Poor, and provide objectives of the war on poverty--antipoverty and equal opportunity. The fourth chapter is devoted to the history of the War on Poverty Program. The fifth chapter provides an evaluation of the War on Poverty Programs--manpower programs, individual improvement, community betterment, housing, economic development, income maintenance, and administration. The sixth and seventh chapters present criteria for selecting recommended programs and the author's conclusions on the urgency of elimination of poverty and the alternatives of failure. The final chapter discusses the Nixon administration and the War on Poverty. A list of acronyms and abbreviations is included. (PT)