The Lexicon of Labor: More Than 500 Key Terms, Biographical Sketches, and Historical Insights Concerning Labor in America [Paperback]

R. Emmett Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

An innovative and informative mini-encyclopedia of work and workers in America. Unique and comprehensive, The Lexicon of Labor features informative and engaging descriptions of more than 500 key places, people, and events in American labor history. From Eugene Debs to Cesar Chavez, the Haymarket Riots in 1886 to the Teamsters/ups strike in 1997, labor writer R. Emmett Murray provides brief, fascinating sketches of this vital part of the American experience. The Lexicon of Labor also includes explanations of major legislative acts, definitions of key legal terminology, and complete listings of all the member unions of the AFL-CIO and independent unions in the United States. A practical, handy resource for students and journalists, and an ideal introduction to the history of labor in America. Terms include: AFL-CIO; boulwarism; collective bargaining; Davis-Bacon Act; downsizing; Fair Labor Standards Act; Homestead Strike; I.W.W.; Knights of Labor; maquiladora; May Day; Palmer Raids; scab; sweatshop; Taft-Hartley Act; union bug; wildcatting; wobblies; zipper clause; and many more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

R. Emmett Murray (1939–2008), a longtime newspaperman, was past president of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, Local 82.

Elaine Bernard is the executive director of the Labor and Worklife Program at the Harvard School of Law. She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565844564
• ISBN-13: 978-1565844568
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,543,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Law > English Law > Employment

More About the Author

R. Emmett Murray (1939-2008), a longtime newspaperman, was past president of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, Local 82.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for labor studies, February 24, 2007

By 

Anita R. Dawson (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lexicon of Labor: More Than 500 Key Terms, Biographical Sketches, and Historical Insights Concerning Labor in America (Paperback)

I first purchased this book two years ago. I have used it in every labor studies class that I have taken and I wouldn't dream of not using it. The definitions are precise and clear. I feel so strongly about this book that I recently purchased another copy for my Local Union President. This book is a must have.

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't live without it for my labor studies degree, March 29, 2007

By 

Tamara A. Biddle "stamping at the BLVD" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lexicon of Labor: More Than 500 Key Terms, Biographical Sketches, and Historical Insights Concerning Labor in America (Paperback)

I used this book so much that I wore it out! I had to get it re-binded. I needed this book for just about every course I took in Labor
Studies. It is a great reference book to have.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Masterwork of workers under masters, August 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lexicon of Labor: More Than 500 Key Terms, Biographical Sketches, and Historical Insights Concerning Labor in America (Paperback)

For 12 bucks, no one could find a more rich, and most important, more concise compendium of the American labor movement and American labor at work. Murray et. al. have done a service to everyone with this thoughtful, experienced addition to the record of American toilers.