One of the oldest, strongest, and largest labor organizations in the U.S., the American Federation of Labor (AFL) had 4 million members in over 20,000 union locals during World War II. The AFL played a key role in wartime production and was a major actor in the contentious relationship between the state, organized labor, and the working class in the 1940s. The war years are pivotal in the history of American labor, but books on the AFL’s experiences are scant, with far more on the radical Congress of Industrial Unions (CIO).Andrew E. Kersten closes this gap with Labor’s Home Front, challenging us to reconsider the AFL and its influence on twentieth-century history. Kersten details the union's contributions to wartime labor relations, its opposition to the open shop movement, divided support for fair employment and equity for women and African American workers, its constant battles with the CIO, and its significant efforts to reshape American society, economics, and politics after the war. Throughout, Kersten frames his narrative with an original, central theme: that despite its conservative nature, the AFL was dramatically transformed during World War II, becoming a more powerful progressive force that pushed for liberal change.

Examines the important role and influence of Thomas Paine and his political writings on promoting a revolutionary spirit and radical fervor, from the time of America's colonial rebellion and Revolutionary War to the present day. Reprint.

Product Description: Harvey Kaye presents a critical and democratic perspective on American politics, letters, and higher education in this vibrant collection of essays. Some of the thought-provoking topics he addresses are the associations between: -- Politics and the culture wars-- Capitalism and class inequality-- Intellectuals and the labor movement-- History and public memory-- Books and publishing-- Professors and their universities-- Teaching and parenting...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

The first biography written for young adults of the author best known for his Sherlock Holmes stories and novels considers the overlaps between the fictional Holmes and Watson and their creator, and draws a memorable picture of late Victorian society.

Product Description: In "Why do Ruling Classes Fear History," and Other Questions, Harvey Kaye shows how our present-day political and economic elites stand in a long line of governing classes which have been eager to declare an end to the making of history.

Product Description: This classic work of contemporary history remains the first and most complete study of the founders of one of the most important contemporary academic traditions in history and social theory. Kaye analyzes the work of Maurice Dobb, Rodney Hilton, Christopher Hill, Eric Hobsbawm, and E...read more

Product Description: In "The Education of Desire", Harvey J. Kaye returns to the study of Marxist history and social thought. Examining the works of such intellectuals, writers, and scholars as Antonio Gramsci, Christopher Hill, George Rude, V.G. Kiernan, E...read more

Product Description: This examines the theory that historical thought and study are in decline whilst seemingly there has been a rise in demand for the "past" and historical scholarship has been flourishing. The author contends that to address the crisis requires a more critical concept of historical practice...read more

Product Description: For over thirty years, the work of E. P. Thompson as historian, socialist, and peace activist has been enormously influential. Yet attempts to assess the impact of his work as a whole have been rare. This book brings together a wide range of authors who, in original essays, discuss the historical, theoretical, and political problems that have been central to Thompson’s work...read more

Product Description: Poets, Politics and the People brings together for the first time the most important writings on English literature, culture and politics by one of the leading Marxist historians of our time.The essays collected here consider the work of Shakespeare, Tennyson and Wordsworth; the relation between writers and ‘the people’ in popular protest; and the ideas which have motivated and inspired popular struggles, especially Christianity and socialism...read more

Product Description: The work of E.P. Thompson as historian, socialist and peace activist has been enormously influential. Yet attempts to assess the impact of his work as a whole have been rare. This book evaluates the impact of his work, bringing together a range of authors who, in original essays, assess the main dimensions of Thompson's contribution...read more

Product Description: This volume ranges from empires, imperialism and international history to analyses of religious and social studies. Among other topics, the author discusses Gramsci and Marxism, the state and nation in Western Europe, nationalist movements and social classes, the working class in 19th century Britain and the concept of revolution...read more