The Radical Middle Class: Populist Democracy and the Question of Capitalism in Progressive Era Portland, Oregon (Politics & Society in Twentieth-Century America)
Winner of the 2002 President's Book Award, Social Science History Association"[A] magnificent work of political and historical reconstruction. . . . The excitement of this book lies in its engaging combination of passion and rigor."--Jeffrey Sklansky,Reviews in American HistoryThe Radical Middle Classcredits the lower middle class with providing the leadership and grassroots support for a variety of reform and even radical measures that animated politics in Portland, Oregon during the first quarter of the twentieth century. . . . Johnston has presented scholars with another template of reform that needs to be taken seriously and applied elsewhere."--John F. Reynolds,H-SHGAP"If progressives are to enjoy any success rebuilding a democratic populism that questions a corporate political economy, Johnston's book might suggest some useful (and hopeful) perspectives."--Ken Fones-Wolf,Enterprise & Society"[An] extraordinarily ambitious work. . . . Sure to spark debate, this book is a fine example of the renaissance in political history."--Ron Formisano,Journal of Southern History"[F]ew interested in the history of American social movements, the political role of the middle class, or the contemporary revival of populist politics will fail to find this book insightful and provocative."--Daniel Geary,Labor: Studies in Working-Class History of the Americas"[An] exhaustive and illuminating critique of the historiography of the petit bourgeoisie. . . . Robert D. Johnston has convinced this reviewer that we need to know much more about this crucial middling group and the impact it has had, and continues to have, on U.S. politics as both a local and national force. Historians need to take the lead this book provides."--Adam J. Hodges,H-Net Reviews