Had I Known: Collected Essays

Barbara Ehrenreich is a well-known journalist and political activist who has written extensively about the social and political fabric of America. Her book, Had I Known, collects her most significant articles and excerpts from the last four decades, covering topics such as work poverty, rising inequality, the gender divide, and medicalized health care. Ehrenreich's writing is characterized by her remarkable tenderness, humor, and incisiveness, offering a prescient and relevant perspective on contemporary America.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2021
Publisher: Granta Books

Barbara Ehrenreich, a self-proclaimed myth buster by trade, has had a long and illustrious career as a journalist and political activist. Throughout her career, she has delved with devastating wit and insight into the social and political fabric of America. Her book, Had I Known, is a compilation of her most significant articles and excerpts from the last four decades, including some that became the starting point for her bestselling books. Ehrenreich's writing spans a wide range of topics, from her award-winning article "Welcome to Cancerland," published shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, to her groundbreaking investigative journalism in Nickel and Dimed, which explored living in America on the minimum wage.

Issues that she identified as far back as the 80s and 90s, such as work poverty, rising inequality, the gender divide, and medicalized health care, are still top of the social and political agenda today. Written with remarkable tenderness, humor, and incisiveness, Ehrenreich paints a vivid picture of an America of struggle, inequality, racial bias, and injustice. Her extraordinarily prescient and relevant perspective establishes her as one of the most significant thinkers of our time.

Throughout her career, Ehrenreich has been a fierce critic of capitalism and its impact on American society. She has argued that the pursuit of profit has led to the exploitation of workers, the erosion of social safety nets, and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. She has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and equality, calling for policies that address the needs of working people and promote economic fairness.

One of Ehrenreich's most notable works is her book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, which was published in 2001. In this book, she explores the lives of low-wage workers in America and exposes the harsh realities of their working conditions. She describes how workers are forced to work long hours for little pay, with no benefits or job security, and how they struggle to make ends meet while facing rising costs of living.

Ehrenreich's writing is characterized by her ability to combine humor with deep analysis and her commitment to exposing the truth about the social and economic issues facing America. She has a talent for making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience, and her books have been widely read and influential.

In addition to her writing, Ehrenreich has been a prominent political activist and has worked to raise awareness about issues such as climate change, healthcare reform, and economic inequality. She has spoken at numerous rallies and events and has been a guest on numerous television and radio programs.

Despite her many achievements, Ehrenreich has faced criticism and backlash from some quarters. Some have accused her of being too critical of capitalism and of promoting socialist or communist ideals. However, Ehrenreich has remained steadfast in her beliefs and has continued to speak out against the injustices she sees in society.

In conclusion, Barbara Ehrenreich is a remarkable writer and political activist who has made a significant impact on American society. Her books, such as Nickel and Dimed and Had I Known, have exposed the harsh realities of low-wage work and the concentration of wealth in America. Through her writing, she has challenged the dominant narrative of capitalism and promoted social justice and equality. Ehrenreich's commitment to truth and her ability to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience have made her a powerful voice for change. Despite facing criticism and backlash, she remains steadfast in her beliefs and continues to work towards a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783786886