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A review by hebeshebewebe
A History of America in Ten Strikes by Erik Loomis
3.0
I would like to thank GR giveaways and The New Press for my copy of this book.
I would like to start this review by stating that I am not normally a fan of non-fiction, and that my opinions should be viewed in that light. Overall, I found this book well put together, moderately interesting and moderately well written. I did feel like the author had first come up with a conclusion or point that he wanted to make, and then wrote the book backwards to prove his point.
The premise of the book is a review of American history through the lens of labor unions and strikes. The author did a good job of selecting ten major strikes (and their rising and falling supporting actions) to illustrate phases of labor organizing in America. He did a good job of providing backstory and context for those strikes so that a novice would feel immersed in the history. He also has an extensive timeline and glossary and provides all of the data that one could want for additional information about the time period.
My issue with the book (and issue is perhaps too strong of a word) is that the author's clear and unmistakable point is that employers have conspired with the US government to crush organized labor, and that this has exacerbated the financial and societal divide within the American working class. He also quite strongly calls on the Democratic party to take back up the torch of labor support, and tells us that the workers will never get out from under the crushing weight of the 1% without stronger organizing and Democratic support at all levels of government. I happen to agree with all of the author's points, but his heavy handed nature in emphasizing them made me feel like I wasn't reading the impartial presentation of history that I was expecting from an author with this background.
Overall, I don't regret reading this book, and would more heavily recommend it to people who enjoy historical non-fiction in general, and political commentary in specific.
I would like to start this review by stating that I am not normally a fan of non-fiction, and that my opinions should be viewed in that light. Overall, I found this book well put together, moderately interesting and moderately well written. I did feel like the author had first come up with a conclusion or point that he wanted to make, and then wrote the book backwards to prove his point.
The premise of the book is a review of American history through the lens of labor unions and strikes. The author did a good job of selecting ten major strikes (and their rising and falling supporting actions) to illustrate phases of labor organizing in America. He did a good job of providing backstory and context for those strikes so that a novice would feel immersed in the history. He also has an extensive timeline and glossary and provides all of the data that one could want for additional information about the time period.
My issue with the book (and issue is perhaps too strong of a word) is that the author's clear and unmistakable point is that employers have conspired with the US government to crush organized labor, and that this has exacerbated the financial and societal divide within the American working class. He also quite strongly calls on the Democratic party to take back up the torch of labor support, and tells us that the workers will never get out from under the crushing weight of the 1% without stronger organizing and Democratic support at all levels of government. I happen to agree with all of the author's points, but his heavy handed nature in emphasizing them made me feel like I wasn't reading the impartial presentation of history that I was expecting from an author with this background.
Overall, I don't regret reading this book, and would more heavily recommend it to people who enjoy historical non-fiction in general, and political commentary in specific.