Murdered by Capitalism
A Memoir of 150 Years of Life & Death on the American Left
Ross, John
Publisher: Nation Books, New York, USA
Year Published: 2004
Pages: 355pp Price: $15.95 ISBN: 1-56025-578-1
Resource Type: Book
Cx Number: CX6718
Much of this book is in the form of a fictional dialogue between two radicals discussing the political events of both of their lifetimes.
Abstract:
Murdered by Capitalism is a memoir of the life of John Ross collaborated with his research on E. B. Schnaubelt, a martyr who is given a voice from the grave. Through the narration of their stories Ross tells the history of the American Left covering major political issues related to capitalism from the past 150 years. The stories of many martyrs are presented to compliment Ross's own. The book contains commentary on, and analysis of, capitalist issues of the twentieth century.
The story is told as if from the voice of E. B. Schnaubelt speaking from the grave. Much of it is a fictional dialogue between Ross and Schnaubelt discussing the political events of both of their lifetimes. After an introduction to the storytelling method, it is divided into five books. Book 1, Haymarket, tells the story of the Haymarket Martyrs, and Ross himself, and their impact on the activism that was to come. Book 2, Belly of the Beast, goes back to the founding of the American colonies and the flaws of American Imperialism. Book 3, The Death of Dogma, gives speculative testimonies from several victims of government oppression who died opposing capitalism. Book 4, Kaboom, discusses war and terrorism, including the Korean War and 9/11. The Epilogue, The Day of the Dead of the American Left, is a poem covering all of the topics introduced in the book.
Ross covers American History from 1855 to present day with a focus on capitalism and the revolutionary acts against it. The crimes of the capitalist system are unveiled as he compiles the stories of the dead. The events are described as a narrative and brought to life through an imagined dialogue between Ross and the deceased. The purpose is to reveal the acts of violence caused by revolution against capitalist society.
[Abstract by Mia Manns]
Table of Contents:
Book One: Haymarket
Book Two: Belly of the Beast
Book Three: The Death of Dogma
Book Four: Kaboom!!!
Epilogue: The Day of the Dead of the American Left
Index
Subject Headings
