The Wobblies: The Story of the IWW and Syndicalism in the United States

by Patrick Renshaw

Overview

Does anyone save historians remember the Wobblies? This nickname for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the revolutionary labor union founded in Chicago in 1905, not so long ago was part of the vocabulary of labor and socialist movements everywhere. But few who have heard of the Wobblies know much about their history, aims, or achievements—or their impact on American labor. In this new edition of his classic study of the Wobblies, Patrick Renshaw tells the story of how they planned to combine the American working class, and eventually wage earners all over the world, into one big labor union with an industrial basis, a syndicalist philosophy, and a revolutionary aim. “A careful, balanced work.”—New York Times Book Review. “A lively introduction to a trying and violent period in American industrial history.”—Journal of American History. “The story of American trade unionism is a sorry one—dirty and tragic—and this is one of the worst chapters.”—Times Literary Supplement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781566632737
Publisher:	Dee, Ivan R. Publisher
Publication date:	08/24/1999
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	608,357
Product dimensions:	5.15(w) x 8.15(h) x 0.87(d)

About the Author

Patrick Renshaw, a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, lives in Sheffield, England.

Editorial Reviews

A lively introduction to a trying and violent period in American industrial history.

Journal of American History

Eminently readable.

The Boston Globe

The story of American trade unionism is a sorry one—dirty and tragic—and this is one of the worst chapters.

Times Literary Supplement

A careful, balanced work.

The New York Times

Topical even today.

|Los Angeles Times

A careful, balanced work.

The New York Times

Topical even today.

Los Angeles Times

The story of American trade unionism is a sorry one—dirty and tragic—and this is one of the worst chapters.

Times Literary Supplement (UK)

A careful, balanced work.

New York Times

Eminently readable.

Boston Globe

A careful, balanced work.

New York Times Book Review

A lively introduction to a trying and violent period in American industrial history.

Journal Of American History

Though LJ's reviewer found that this volume broke little new ground, it was thought to be a "valuable story of the IWW" (LJ 6/15/67). Renshaw details the formation of the International Workers of the World and its goal to bring together the working class of the entire globe into a single union. This updated edition contains new information. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Tells the story of the Industrial Workers of the World (the Wobblies), the revolutionary labor union founded in Chicago in 1905, and their goal to combine the American working class, and eventually wage earners all over the world, into one big labor union with an industrial basis, a syndicalist philosophy, and a revolutionary aim. The author is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. The work was first published in 1967; this edition contains a new preface by the author. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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