Customer Reviews

Haymarket: A Novel

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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.

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.

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.

This book should be required reading in Social Studies class, because it reflects the labor struggles. The struggles have been deminished by time and the corporate class all over the world. People fail to realize why they are only working 40 hours a week and 8 hours a day instead of 80 hours a week and 16 hours a day. This book tells us how men sacrificed their lives, and the sacrifices of their families for this worthy cause. These men sacrificed their lives and wellbeing of their families to put an end to the exploitation of the working class. This lesson needs to be brought to the forefront because the haymarket riots could happen again due to the slow elimination of the middle class in modern day society.

I found this book moving, entertaining, informative and captivating - so much so, that it was hard to put down, especially once it really got going, which didn't take too long. I'm not much of a reader - get tired too easily. But this book had me up til 4 am a few times, just wanting to read more. Very well written, I didn't want to put it down. Will read it again sometime.