Union Made: Labor Leader Samuel Gompers and His Fight for Workers' Rights

by Norman H. Finkelstein

Unsung hero Samuel Gompers worked tirelessly to ensure that no American worker would go unheard or overlooked, dedicating his life to fighting for their rights. This comprehensive middle-grade biography provides an in-depth look at Gompers, the founding father of the American Federation of Labor.

Born in England, Samuel Gompers grew up watching his father roll cigars, and at 10 years old, started rolling them himself. After immigrating to the United States, Gompers soon discovered his vocation to fight for the American laborer in his personal work experience. His charismatic, outspoken personality soon landed him the role of speaking on behalf of his fellow workers. His participation in various unsuccessful unions and other failed ventures to enact labor changes led to his creation of the American Federation of Labor. Faced with strikes that turned violent, opposition from the government, and lies perpetrated by anti-unionizers, Gompers persevered, and lived to see various measures enacted to ensure safe work environments, workers' compensation, and other basic laborer rights.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Labor, Biography

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2019

About the author

Norman H. Finkelstein is the author of eighteen nonfiction books, mainly for young readers. He recently retired as a school librarian for the Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools but continues into his 32nd year of teaching history in the Prozdor Department of Hebrew College. Among his writing honors are two National Jewish Book Awards, the Golden Kite Honor Book Award for Nonfiction and a "highly recommended" award from the Boston Author's Club.

His interest in history and biography developed early. "I was the only kid in the sixth grade who regularly read the New York Times," he said. His books reflect an eclectic view of his world. From his love of old-time radio came Sounds in the Air: The Golden Age of Radio and from his fascination with plastics came a social and cultural history called, simple enough, Plastics. He also served as the series editor for the Jewish Publication Society's JPS Guides.

He is married to Rosalind who he calls "my first-line editor". They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Finkelstein lives in Framingham, Massachusetts.

(source)

Reviews

[Lisa]

I picked this up at the library for my kids, but when I started reading it myself, I found it quite boring. Personally, I felt like it spent way too much time on minor biographical details and didn't give (young) readers sufficient context for a lot of the outside forces at work.

[Jacob Hilliker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct and enjoyable.

[Library To-Go]

book talk: 04/24/25 -PWP

[BiographyProject]

Recommended by Jewish Book Council: https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/boo...