"We called each other comrade" : Charles H. Kerr & Company, radical publishers / Allen Ruff.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ruff, Allen, 1949-

Series:

History of communication

The history of communication

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Charles H. Kerr & Company--History.

Charles H. Kerr & Company.

Publishers and publishing--Political aspects--United States--History--19th century.

Publishers and publishing.

Publishers and publishing--Political aspects--United States--History--20th century.

Socialism--United States--History--19th century.

Socialism.

Socialism--United States--History--20th century.

History.

Publishers and publishing--Political aspects.

United States.

Physical Description:

xvii, 312 pages : portrait ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Urbana : University of Illinois Press, [1997]

Summary:

This is the history of the most significant translator, publisher, and distributor of left-wing literature in the United States. Based in Chicago and still publishing, Charles H. Kerr & Company began in 1886 as a publisher of Unitarian tracts. The company's focus changed after its founder, the son of abolitionist activists, became a socialist at the turn of the century. Tracing Kerr's political development and commitment to radical social change, "We Called Each Other Comrade" also tells the story of the difficulties of exercising the First Amendment in an often hostile business and political climate. A fascinating exploration in left-wing culture, this revealing chronicle of Charles Kerr and his revolutionary publishing company looks at the remarkable list of books, periodicals, and pamphlets that the firm produced and traces the strands of a rich tradition of dissent in America.

Contents:

Charles Kerr : early years, early influences

Kerr's early Chicago years

Kerr Company beginnings : the broad context

Unity years

From unitarian to populist and beyond

The first Socialist phase, 1899-1908

The move leftward, 1908-11

The in-house battle, 1911-13

The International Socialist review, 1908-18

The war years and after.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [287]-300) and index.

ISBN:

0252022777

0252065824

OCLC:

34597963