Overview

During the Great Depression, Henry Alsberg, a journalist with a passion for social justice, directed the Federal Writers' Project, a New Deal program of the Works Progress Administration. Under his guidance, thousands of unemployed writers were hired. Despite attacks from the House Committee on Un-American Activities, the Project produced more than 1,000 publications from 1935 to 1939, including the still highly acclaimed American Guide series. Some writers, such as Richard Wright, went on to storied careers. Alsberg led the Project's collection of more than 10,000 oral histories from ex-slaves, immigrants and others. Alsberg was also a leader in the struggle to save Jewish pogrom survivors in Eastern Europe. Later, he initiated the first major effort to assist international political prisoners. His friends included anarchist revolutionary Emma Goldman and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. This book brings Alsberg to light as an important but forgotten figure of the 20th century.

Full Product Details

Author:   Susan Rubenstein DeMasi
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.404kg
ISBN:  

9780786495351

ISBN 10:   0786495359
Pages:   296
Publication Date:   04 July 2016
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Introduction 1. “The strangely gifted Henry G. Alsberg” 1881–1907 2. The Wanderlust of a “Philosophical Anarchist” 1907–1918 3. “Our people are suffering in a terrible way” December 1919–May 1920 4. Tyranny by Prophets May 1920–August 1921 5. At Sea, and at Sea Again September 1921–September 1927 6. “The best souls and brains of Russia are being exterminated” 1924–1929 7. The Interlude of New York Theater: A “Portentous Possibility” 1924–1929 8. “To the daring belongs the world” 1929–1934 9. The Man Who Wrote America: The Federal Writers’ Project 1935–1938 10. Cultural and Creative Expressions: The FWP’s American Mosaic 1936–1938 11. “Naked before his enemies” 1938–1939 12. The Radical Lives of Henry Alsberg 1939–1970 Epilogue: Lost Treasures Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

Largely forgotten today, Henry Alsberg is the kind of hero we need to celebrate and the kind of man we need to emulate. Susan Rubenstein DeMasi has brought him back to life for us with her well-crafted biography of this literary savant who doubled as a human rights champion. Flawed and fascinating, Alsberg has met in DeMasi the perfect chronicler of his remarkable journey. -William F. Schulz, President, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA.

Author Information

Susan Rubenstein DeMasi is a professor at Suffolk County Community College in New York. A journalist, playwright, and screenwriter, her work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications.

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