We Shall Be All: A History of the Industrial Workers of the World

We Shall Be All chronicles the formation, peak years, and decline of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a radical labor union that emerged in early 20th century America. Dubofsky draws from extensive research to document the Wobblies' campaigns, conflicts, and cultural impact from 1905 to 1924. The book examines key figures in the IWW movement, including Bill Haywood, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, and Joe Hill, while detailing major strikes, free speech fights, and clashes with authorities. The narrative follows the organization through pivotal moments like the Lawrence textile strike, the Paterson silk strike, and the government crackdown during World War I. Labor historians consider this work the definitive account of the IWW's role in American industrial relations and radical politics. Through its careful documentation of worker experiences and union strategies, the book illuminates broader themes about class conflict, immigration, and state power in early 20th century America.

Readers value the depth of research and comprehensive detail in Dubofsky's examination of the IWW. Many note its thorough coverage of early labor struggles and union organizing tactics. Strengths: - Documentation of strikes and labor conflicts - Analysis of internal IWW dynamics and factions - Coverage of both successes and failures - Clear explanation of complex organizational structures Criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of post-1920 IWW activities - Some readers found the level of detail overwhelming - Focus on organizational history over individual stories Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) Review quotes: "Exhaustively researched but tough to get through" - Goodreads reviewer "Best complete history of the Wobblies, though could use more personal accounts" - Amazon reviewer "Academic but necessary reading for understanding American labor history" - LibraryThing user

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🔰 The book's first edition was published in 1969, during a period of renewed interest in radical labor movements amid the social upheavals of the 1960s 🔰 Author Melvyn Dubofsky conducted extensive research in previously untapped sources, including IWW archives that had been seized by the federal government during World War I 🔰 The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) introduced innovative organizing techniques like mass singing at protests, which led to the publication of the famous "Little Red Songbook" 🔰 The book details how the IWW successfully organized workers typically ignored by mainstream unions, including immigrants, women, and people of color, decades before other labor organizations 🔰 Dubofsky's work remains the definitive scholarly history of the IWW after more than 50 years, with updated editions incorporating new research and interpretations about the movement's influence