Encyclopedia of the American Left (Hardcover)

~ Mari Jo Buhle (Editor), (Editor), Dan Georgakas (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The American Left consists not just of Communists or Socialists. As illustrated in this excellent update of the original 1990 work edited by three academic historians, it contains a rich mix of political, social, and artistic movements. The 650 entries, written by scholars, artists, and activists, cover more than individuals, organizations, and publications, also venturing into such diverse areas as folk music, the disability rights movement, labor, radio, psychology, and sf and fantasy. Entries new to the second edition include "ACT-UP," "jazz," "Leonard Peltier," "Reconstruction," and the "Young Lords Party." These additions cover current events and social and cultural topics. Individual entries run from one paragraph to several pages, and all close with a brief bibliography and cross references. The new edition also contains several minor organizational changes, such as combining the separate name-subject indexes into a single index. Also included is a separate glossary of terms regularly appearing in the work, a brief bibliographic essay, and a broad subject outline of entries. All libraries with the first edition (LJ 6/15/90) need the second on its shelves. Recommended for larger academic and public libraries.AStephen L. Hupp, Urbana Univ. Lib., OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A unique and comprehensive collection . . . [an] indispensible compilation."--Library Journal

" . . . a comprehensive source of information . . ."Choice

"A unique and comprehensive collection . . . [an] indispensable compilation."--Library Journal

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1024 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (November 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195120884
• ISBN-13: 978-0195120882
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,932,189 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An important tool that belongs in your shop. Yet...., March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of the American Left (Paperback)

The new Oxford edition is a big improvement on the first. At least the two major practicing bodies of Marxist-Leninist thought today (ISO & RCP) are at least mentioned by name this time! The context is informative and the critical edge is penetrating. Those of us who have marched with those groups will appreciate a little uninfatuated, academic, outside perspective. The RCP's fading post 70's glory is mercilessly skewered, and the ISO's sectarian hair-splitting is given necessary historical background. But there's something missing from the analysis. Any practicing worker or Marxist/activist will want to know what is GOOD about the parties that survive today. Shouldn't there be some forward thinking? We are still out here, organizing against police brutality, fighting the right-wing backlash, advocating workers' power, fighting for freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal. There is a vanguard of a real democracy we see only glimmers of in the history of the Left.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building the Left today, November 9, 2006

By	A. Lopez (Woodside, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is indispensable for any activist today. It is very helpful in the sense of going through the history of different figures and dynamics of the labor movement, women's struggle, gay rights struggle and the civil rights movement while also going into detail about their different publications and the overall collapse of the left.
One of the most important tasks for activists today is the rebuilding of a weak left in this country which can actually challenge the political establishment and understand what are going to be the strategy and tactics that lead it forward. I would have to disagree with the reviewer above in two things. The RCP (Revolutionary Communist Party) and the ISO (International Socialist Organization) are two fundamentally different political organizations. While the RCP was born directly out of the mass radicalization of the 60's in the New Left, which had Maoist politics at its core, the ISO is a genuine Marxist organization that sees the importance of the rebuilding of struggle from below through active work in the movements around us and fighting for the way to lead it forward. With that said I don't think the ISO is sectarian considering that has been one of the biggest weaknesses that has plagued the American Left, but more importantly, because we see the need for debating and discussing with allies and non allies on the left, what it is going to take to build stronger movements (immigrant rights, anti-war) that can actually lead to gains and end in a victory for the whole left.