The Case of Joe Hill

by Philip S. Foner

Book Overview

The famous Wobbly poet, songwriter and organizer was executed in Salt Lake Cityon November 19, 1915. Many felt that he was not guilty of the murder he was charged with, that he did not have a fair... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0717800229
• ISBN13: 9780717800223
• Release Date: June 1965
• Publisher: International Publishers
• Length: 127 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Hobo Philosopher

I few years back, I didn't know Joe Hill from a hole in the ground. But because I found out that my hometown of Lawrence, Mass was the scene of a massive labor union strike, I started doing research. It actually took me some time to find Philip Foner - and clearly many don't like him. He is said to be a Communist. But I have learned in my life and from reading that anyone in the United State who defends "working people" or unions, or fair wages is invariably classified as a Communist. Mr. Foner is a defender of Labor in general but certainly not all unions or all of the union movement. This book is clearly sympathetic to Joe Hill but nevertheless from reading other accounts I think Mr. Foner's analysis is accurate. This Book should be a Classic motion picture but unfortunately that is very unlikely to happen in the US because Mr. Hill would have to be portrayed in a positive light. Even "On the Waterfront" had to be doctored to be anti-labor and anti-union before it was allowed into American theaters. The history of Labor and its heroes like Joe Hill is quite a story. But it does not seem that any of these stories will ever be made available to a mass audience in our country. The closest you will get to hearing anything positive is by reading books like this one. Despite all the criticism of Mr. Foner I think that this account is pretty fair history too. Even if it isn't, I feel that it's time to hear something positive on the subject. The story we the people now have is ludicrously lopsided. Books written by Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher: "Hobo-ing America: A Workingman's Tour of the U.S.A.." "A Summer with Charlie" Salisbury Beach, Lawrence YMCA "A Little Something: Poetry and Prose "Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother" Novel - Lawrence, Ma. "The Eastpointer" Selections from award winning column. "Noble Notes on Famous Folks" Humor - satire - facts. "America on Strike" American Labor - History