Books matching: labor movement
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Philip Dray's book 'There Is Power in a Union: The Epic Story of Labor in America' delves into the history of the American labor movement, highlighting the struggles and sacrifices made by workers to combat the greed and corruption of big businesses. The narrative is filled with vivid retellings of key events such as the Lowell factories, the Haymarket Massacre, the Pullman Strikes, and the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire, as well as important figures like Eugene V. Debs, Mother Jones, and Jimmy Hoffa. Dray's writing style paints a compelling picture of the violent past of the labor movement, showcasing the personal courage, sacrifice, and farcical trials that have shaped the fight for workers' rights in America.
The book also sheds light on the connections between labor movements, social justice, and civil rights, emphasizing the importance of unions in advocating for better working conditions and benefits for workers. Through detailed research and exhaustive writing on topics like the battle of Blair Mountain and the federal government's offensives against labor racketeering, Dray presents a comprehensive overview of the struggles faced by American workers from the nineteenth century onwards, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding the historical significance of labor in America.
IT SEEMS FITTING THAT ONE OF THE FIRST renowned activists in the titanic struggle between labor and capital on this continent, Sarah G. Bagley, was an unassuming young woman off the farm, initially no...- #2
Save:'A History of America in Ten Strikes' by Erik Loomis is a well-researched account of the history of the labor movement in the United States. The book delves into the significant strikes that shaped the working class, while also discussing broader issues affecting Americans at the time. Loomis highlights the struggles of working men and women uniting to improve their working conditions and personal lives, against the backdrop of the general narrative of US history. The author emphasizes the importance of unions representing the interests of workers and electing officials who support those interests through legislation.
When Christopher Columbus stumbled across the Americas in 1492, he had specific ideas about work, who would do it, and who would benefit. So did the European nations that followed him: Spain and Portu... Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor by Kim Kelly explores the labor movement in the United States through a fresh and inclusive perspective. Kelly highlights the stories of marginalized communities and emphasizes the intersectionality that has been a core part of labor struggles since their inception. The book is organized by industry rather than traditional historical timelines, making it accessible to readers and emphasizing that these labor challenges resonate across various sectors and time periods.
Kelly's writing style is engaging and straightforward, making complex topics easy to understand. She combines historical narratives with personal stories to inspire readers about the importance of labor rights today. Though it includes critical views on systemic issues like sexism and racism within the labor movement, the overall tone is positive and motivating. This book serves as both a primer for newcomers to labor history and a deep dive for those already familiar with the subject.
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Save:Set in Spokane and other parts of the Northwest, 'The Cold Millions' by Jess Walter is a historical novel following the lives of two brothers, Gig and Rye, as they navigate the labor movement in the early 1900s. Gig, the older brother, is involved with the IWW while Rye, the younger one, is just trying to survive and find stability. The book weaves together real historical events and characters, such as Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, with fictional elements, showcasing the struggles for workers' rights and the societal divide between the rich and the poor.
The novel delves into themes of labor unrest, police brutality, corruption, and the fight for justice during a tumultuous time in American history. Through the perspectives of multiple characters, including the Dolan brothers and real-life figures like Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, the book explores the complexities of the labor movement and the sacrifices made by those involved.
They woke on a ball field—bums, tramps, hobos, stiffs. Two dozen of them spread out on bedrolls and blankets in a narrow floodplain just below the skid, past taverns, tanners, and tents, shotgun shack... - #5
Save:In "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, readers are taken on a journey through the harsh realities faced by immigrant workers in the meatpacking industry of Chicago in the early 1900s. The protagonist, Jurgis, and his family struggle to survive in a world filled with corruption, filth, and exploitation. The book vividly describes the deplorable working conditions, political corruption, and the evils of capitalism that the characters endure, ultimately leading Jurgis towards the Socialist movement. The narrative provides a gut-wrenching look at the challenges faced by the working class during a time of urbanization and industrialization, highlighting the need for social and political reform.
IT WAS four o‘clock when the ceremony was over and the carriages began to arrive. There had been a crowd following all the way, owing to the exuberance of Marija Berczynskas. The occasion rested heavi... - #6
Save:'The Age of Acquiescence: The Life and Death of American Resistance to Organized Wealth and Power' by Steve Fraser delves into the contrast between the first gilded age, known for active left resistance, and the current 'age of acquiescence,' where the American left has seemingly lost its voice. Fraser discusses how the working class has acquiesced to the power of capital and moneyed interests, leading to widening inequalities. also explores the shift from an era of egalitarian class struggle to one where unemployment is accepted as a norm, consumer culture shapes identity, and the trade union movement weakens.
When the railroad threatened to come to Lancaster, Ohio, back in the mid-1840s, the local school board greeted the prospect as a looming moral disaster. The board refused to make its building availabl... - #7
Save:The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash is a historical fiction novel set in the 1920s in the South, specifically focusing on the textile mill workers and their struggle for better wages and working conditions. The story revolves around Ella May Wiggins, an impoverished mother of four who becomes a union spokesperson, risking everything to improve her family's situation. The narrative is told from multiple viewpoints, providing a comprehensive and immersive look at the challenges faced by the workers and the oppressive conditions in the textile mills of the Carolinas.
Wiley Cash's lyrical prose brings to life the harsh realities of the labor movement in the 1920s South, portraying the struggles of the workers, the pervasive racism, and the violence they endured. The story delves into the complexities of union organizing, the inequalities in society, and the bravery of individuals like Ella May who fought for justice despite the risks involved. Through vivid descriptions and multiple perspectives, Cash paints a compelling and poignant picture of a pivotal moment in history.
'A People's History of the United States' by Howard Zinn presents American history through the eyes of the marginalized and oppressed, such as indigenous peoples, slaves, women, workers, and the poor. Zinn challenges the traditional narrative of American history by highlighting the struggles and perspectives of those often overlooked in mainstream historical accounts. The book provides a comprehensive and alternative view of historical events, offering a critical analysis of the foundations of the United States and shedding light on lesser-known rebellions and movements that have shaped the nation.
Zinn's writing style in 'A People's History of the United States' is described as engaging, readable, and well-sourced. Readers find the book to be informative, eye-opening, and thought-provoking, as it delves into the darker aspects of American history that are often omitted or sugar-coated in traditional textbooks. Through detailed accounts and historical facts, Zinn offers readers a different perspective on key events and figures in American history, encouraging critical thinking and a reevaluation of commonly held beliefs about the nation's past.
Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island’s beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors c...- #9
Save:Emile Zola's 'Germinal' is a powerful novel that delves into the lives of coal miners in Northern France during the 1860s. The book vividly portrays the harsh working conditions, the desperate poverty of the miners' families, and the contrast with the bourgeois managers. Through the lens of a coal miners' strike, Zola explores themes of social injustice, labor movements, and the human struggle for better living conditions. The writing style is described as brutally honest, committed, and unrelenting, capturing the reader's attention with its vivid descriptions and deep exploration of human relationships in the face of adversity.
Out on the open plain, on a starless, ink-dark night, a lone man was following the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, ten kilometres of paved road that cut directly across the fields of beet. He cou... - #10
Save:God's Bits of Wood by Ousmane Sembene is a historical novel set during the 1947-1948 strike by the Dakar Niger railway workers in French Western Africa. The story follows the realistic portrayal of the struggle of the African workers demanding better pay, pensions, and more from their colonial French managers. The narrative is told from multiple viewpoints, focusing on the different characters and their attitudes towards the strike. The book highlights the evolving role of women in society during the strike, showcasing their strength, resilience, and pivotal contribution to the success of the workers' movement.
