Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor

Kim Kelly's "Fight Like Hell" is a revelatory and inclusive book that reveals the stories of the people behind some of the labor movements biggest successes, including freed Black women organizing for protection in the Reconstruction-era South, Jewish immigrant garment workers braving deadly conditions, Asian American fieldworkers rejecting government-sanctioned indentured servitude, and incarcerated workers advocating for basic human rights and fair wages. The book highlights the untold history of silenced, misrepresented, or forgotten leaders who have propelled the American labor push for fairness and equal protection under the law. It is a thought-provoking must-read for anyone who believes that workers should control their fate.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

This groundbreaking and inclusive book delves into the untold stories of the individuals—farm laborers, domestic workers, factory employees—who played pivotal roles in some of the most significant labor movements in American history. Written by independent journalist and Teen Vogue labor columnist Kim Kelly, the book offers a revealing perspective on the people behind these movements.

From the Freed Black women who organized for protection during the Reconstruction era in the South to the Jewish immigrant garment workers who risked their lives in dangerous conditions for a glimpse of independence, the book showcases a diverse range of heroes who fought tirelessly for fairness and equal protection under the law.

However, the narratives of these individuals have often been overlooked or erased by the dominant narratives of American history. The book seeks to rectify this by uncovering the stories of the silenced, misrepresented, or forgotten leaders who played crucial roles in shaping the labor movements. These leaders include women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, disabled people, sex workers, prisoners, and the poor, who have been marginalized and excluded from the official accounts of history.

In her meticulously researched and thought-provoking book, Kelly delves into the untold history of American labor and demonstrates how the rights that workers enjoy today—such as the forty-hour workweek, workplace safety standards, restrictions on child labor, and protection from harassment and discrimination—were hard-fought and earned through immense sacrifice and struggle.

Fight Like Hell emerges at a crucial moment in American economic history, as interest in organized labor reaches a fever pitch not seen since the days of the Industrial Revolution. The book offers a timely and insightful analysis of the current state of labor in America and provides a roadmap for building a more equitable and sustainable workforce.

Through compelling anecdotes and personal narratives, Kelly sheds light on the challenges faced by workers across various industries and sectors, including Amazon's warehouses, Starbucks cafes, Appalachian coal mines, and the sex workers of Portland's Stripper Strike. She highlights the ongoing struggles for fair wages, worker rights, and social justice, and emphasizes the importance of collective action and solidarity in the fight for a better future.

The book also raises important questions about the role of corporations and the government in shaping labor practices and the impact of globalization on workers' lives. Kelly calls for a renewed commitment to worker empowerment and the protection of labor rights, and advocates for policies that promote worker solidarity, collective bargaining, and social mobility.

In conclusion, Fight Like Hell is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history and current state of American labor. It offers a powerful and inspiring account of the individuals who have fought tirelessly for a better future for workers and provides a roadmap for building a more equitable and sustainable workforce. Through its compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, the book reminds us of the importance of collective action and the power of workers to create change.

Weight: 333g
Dimension: 213 x 140 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982171063