10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely Well Researched. High Praise for Martin Duberman., April 2, 2004
A short review from a big fan of this book: For a great many years I have been troubled by what I feel is the shameful public neglect and lack of knowledge of the Haymarket Martyrs, especially with regards to the courageous and inspiring lives Lucy and Albert Parsons.
As a Texan Socialist from the Galveston area where Albert Parsons had worked prior to the Civil War, I had independently researched as much as I possibly could on the lives of these two noble individuals gathering what little I could on my own. To my great delight, historian Martin Duberman, has now brought us the tale of Albert and Lucy, telling their story as it should have always been told.
I understand that there is currently a move to designate a park within Chicago in honor of Lucy Parsons. What a wonderful tribute that would be to such a great woman.
If you are looking to read a book that is rooted in its facts, that spotlights heroic men and women who have suffered far too long in obscurity, then by all means, please treat yourself to one of the best stories you will read all year. Martin Duberman deserves the gratitude of every working-class American for rescuing the memories of dear Lucy and Albert for all of us.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
ON MAY DAY- HONOR THE HAYMARKET MARTYRS, April 16, 2006
This review is from: Haymarket: A Novel (Paperback)
This is the definitive book for our times on the fate of the Haymarket Martyrs. Mr. Duberman has written a well-researched book on these long neglected working class fighters. I add here a few comments putting their fight into perspective for those interested in that history and how it applies to today's struggles.
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAY DAY HAYMARKET FRAMEUPS. HONOR THE MEMORY OF AUGUST SPIES, ALBERT PARSONS, ADOLPH FISCHER, GEORGE ENGEL, LOUIS LINGG, MICHAEL SCHWAB, SAMUEL FIELDEN, OSCAR NEEBE, CLASS WAR VICTIMS OF AN EARLIER TIME. ALSO REMEMBER LUCY PARSONS.
Politically, the writer of these lines is far distance from those of the Haymarket Martyrs. Their flag was the black flag of anarchism, the writer's is the red flag of communism. Notwithstanding those political differences, militants must stand under the old labor slogan that should underscore all labor defense work now as then- `An injury to one is an injury to all'. Unfortunately that principle has been honored far more in the breech than in the observance by working class organizations.
Additionally, in the case of the Haymarket Martyrs today's militants must stand in solidarity and learn about the way those militants bravely conducted themselves before bourgeois society in the face of the witch hunt against them and their frame-up in the courts of so-called bourgeois `justice'. Not for the first time, and most probably not for the last, militants were railroaded by the capitalist state for holding unpopular and or/dangerous (to the capitalists) views. Moreover, it is no accident most of the Haymarket Martyrs were foreigners (mainly Germans) not fully 'appreciative' of the niceties of 19th century American `justice'. This same `justice' system framed the heroic immigrant militants Sacco and Vanzetti in the early 20th century and countless other militants since then. As we struggle in the fight for full citizenship rights for immigrants today we should keep this in mind. Although, as we know, this American system of `justice' will not forget the occasional uppity `native' political dissenter either.
One must not forget that the Haymarket Martyrs at the time of their arrest were fighting for the establishment of a standardized eight hour work day. It is ironic that 120 years later this simple, rational, reasonable demand should, in effect, still be necessary to fight for by working people. All proportions taken into account since the 1880's, a very high percentage of the working class still does not have this luxury between the necessity of two wage-earner families, two job wage-earners, dramatic increases in commute time, unpaid but mandatory work time (especially the Walmartization of labor time) and partial or full unemployment by able-bodied workers. To do justice to the memory of the Haymarket Martyrs this generation of militants should dust off another old labor slogan that used to be part of the transitional demands of the Communist movement- 30 hours work for 40 hours pay. TODAY THIS IS A REASONABLE DEMAND. Obviously such a demand cannot be implemented in isolation. To even propose such a demand means we need to build a workers party to fight for this demand. Moreover, and let us not have illusions about this; this capitalist state does not want to and will not grant such a demand. Therefore, we must fight for a workers government. That would be a true monument to the memory of the Haymarket Martyrs.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
national heroes, May 17, 2004
This book puts a true and beautiful face to the Haymarket Martyrs. I found myself brought to tears on several occasions. It's extremely interesting to watch the travels these people undertook and the comaradery they desplayed in spite of all the odds. It gives appreciation to the eight-hour day and the working conditions we grumble over. This should be taught in our schools. Albert Parsons and August Spies are national heroes and this book reminds us of that.
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