Tough Love for America
By 
Got a nice July 4 surprise when A History of America in Ten Strikes was included in this Powell’s Books list: “Read Like a Patriot: 9 Books of Tough Love for America.”
It’s impossible to understand American history in its totality without considering our country’s tumultuous relationship with labor practices and unions. Historian Erik Loomis’s wonderful, chronological approach to America labor history examines 10 pivotal strikes over roughly 200 years, including the pioneering unionizing work of women workers and Black slaves, and how the anti-union fervor of the 1980s continues to negatively impact workers’ rights.
Well, I’d say this country could use some tough love. A whole lotta tough love. And I’m happy to give it.