Intertwining the stories of three leading early twentieth century radical Americans, this book presents the enthralling tale of the too-short lives of Inez Milholland, Randolph Bourne and John Reed. It highlights the movements and personal experiences that drew such privileged individuals to the American left, willing to sacrifice comfortable circumstances and opportunities.
As writers and activists, the trio became leading spokespersons for feminism, sexual liberation, unions, civil liberties, pacifism, internationalism, socialism, anarchism and, in Reed’s case, communism. Challenging capitalism, patriarchy and the nation-state, the independently-minded Milholland, Bourne and Reed possessed a twofold commitment to personal liberation and community. With their early deaths, they left behind personal models for acting, living, and thinking afresh. One could say they became martyrs to the very movements they championed.

A professor emeritus of history and American studies at California State University, Chico, Robert C. Cottrell is the author of twenty books, including studies of the counterculture, the year 1968, American radicalism, black baseball and the World War II smokejumpers.

Robert C. Cottrell
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 40 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2023
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9149-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4922-1
Imprint: McFarland