Class War, USA: Dispatches from Workers’ Struggles in American History

by Brandon Weber

Class War, USA is a rich collection of stories about ordinary people who resisted oppression and exploitation against all odds. Brandon Weber's succinct and vivid essays capture crucial moments of struggle when working-class people built movements of hope and defiance. Evocative imagery, archival photographs, and descriptive text make history come alive in these pages. From the mines to the factories to the fields, Weber shares the experiences of the real-life men and women who organized, heroically resisted, and battled the bosses and corrupt politicians. In the spirit of A People’s History of the United States , this book conveys engaging and accessible narratives of ordinary people who led labor struggles that have indelibly shaped American history. Essays include vivid accounts of resistance in the workplace like the Ludlow miner’s strike and organizing at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, as well as broader pieces on cultural figures like Woody Guthrie, Black Wall Street in Tulsa, OK, and the fight for the eight-hour day. An invaluable tool for learning the lessons of grassroots struggle, Class War, USA is the perfect counter-narrative to the myth that change comes only from the top, and will appeal to students of history and labor activists alike. Brandon Weber has written for The Progressive, Upworthy, Big Think, and many other online publications, and has been a union activist for over 30 years. His has also written for The Progressive Magazine, Common Dreams, Good.Is and Liberals Unite.

168 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise collection of essays about labor unions, working class history, and the importance of community across demographics. This was our April book club pick, and it was a choice I was particularly excited for. Overall, I found it to be insightful on a very basic level, but probably too elementary for folks who already have a good working knowledge of labor history. As an introductory tool, I think it’s good. Because the essays are rather short, I think it would’ve benefitted from a “further reading” section with recommended texts or resources to learn more about some of the topics.

I’d recommend this to folks interested in an introduction to the labor movement and solidarity.