Customer Reviews

American Workers, American Unions: The Twentieth Century (The American Moment)

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I got this book because I live in a state (Arizona) that is very conservative and anti-union, and I've become a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act, which has been introduced in the last three Congresses. It made it through the House in the 110th Congress, but died due to a Republican filibuster. Even if it had passed the Senate, Bush had said he would not sign it. So, hopefully now that Barack Obama is President, the 111th Congress will get this to his desk, as he's promised to sign it. The Act will make it much simpler for folks in states like Arizona to organize and unionize.

OK, that's background. While reading up about the Employee Free Choice Act, I realized there were large gaps in my knowledge of unions in the past 100 years. This is a book used in many colleges and it got great reviews elsewhere, so I ordered a used copy from an amazon merchant.

I'm very impressed with the book so far. It clearly helps the reader transition from the 19th Century to the 20th Century, and provides a solid, comprehensive history of union activity (and oppostion to them) in the last 100 years. I am well-educated, but what impresses me is that this book is easily readable and does not get bogged down in obscure details that make so many history books such a chore to get through.

I got the third edition of the book, which has a updated final chapter that closes out the 20th Century and looks at the challenges unions face in the 21st Century. I haven't got that far, yet, but the book is so informative and intelligent (without getting bogged down in obscure details or tangents) that I am sure I will read it all.

I've already learned a lot, and in an anti-union state like Arizona, the more you know, the more power you have. Understanding where unions were right, and where they went wrong in the past century, helps me get a better feel for what I face when I work to unionize my workplace once the Employee Free Choice Act becomes a reality.

Highly recommended, even if you aren't an academic or a student. (I'm a social worker, for the record...)

This is by far my favorite single-volume book of labor history. It's a well-researched, balanced survey of the 20th century, scholarly yet highly readable. I have assigned it as initial reading in graduate-level labor relations courses to lay a historical foundation, and students have given postive feedback on the book (mirroring my comments above).

I thought I would get a bit more insight into unions, but this has such a pro-union slant on it that it sickens me. I work in a union that gives us no choice but to pay and they call it "fair" share. What is so fair about forcing people to pay? Anyways there isnt a book out there that I have found that gives an unbiased view of the unions, or even an unbiased history of labor unions in america. If you really like unions then you should get this book and reinforce your false hope in these communist organizations. If you truly understand the damage that unions have caused and are looking for an actual good book that details the truth, in an unbiased fashion, of labor unions then look elsewhere.