Description
Book SynopsisRepresentative Americans: Populists and Progressives brings together brief biographies to explore the political, social, and cultural dimensions of the period from 1890â1920. Through the lives and accomplishments of these reformers, crusaders, and thinkers, readers gain a fascinating glimpse into the tumultuous turn of the twentieth century.
Trade ReviewRisjord's volume succeeds well in illustrating the importance of the Populist-Progressive era. His approach is through biographies of important and interesting figures, but the context he develops for each figure illuminates all the major issues and controversies of the period. Highly readable, it will serve well in courses within the period as well as in the American survey. -- Robert F. Himmelberg, professor of history, Fordham University
Table of ContentsPart I: Progress, Poverty, and Populists Chapter 1: John D. Rockefeller: Robber Baron or Industrial Pioneer? Chapter 2: Mother Jones: "We Have Nothing to Lose But Our Chains" Chapter 3: William Graham Sumner vs. Lester Frank Ward: The Intellectual Battleground Chapter 4: William A. Peffer: Prairie Populist Part II: Architects of Empire Chapter 5: Alfred Thayer Mahan: Apostle of Sea Power Chapter 6: Richard Harding Davis: The Romantic as Journalist Chapter 7: John Hay: "Echoes of Glory and a Legacy of Duty" Part III: Progressives Chapter 8: Louis D. Brandeis: The "People's Lawyer" Chapter 9: Carrie Chapman Catt: Progressivism and Women's Suffrage Chapter 10: John Muir: Nature's Evangelist Chapter 11: William E. Burghardt DuBois: The African-American's Dilemma Chapter 12: Margaret Sanger: Crusade for Birth Control
