Men Against Myths: The Progressive Response

(Hardback)

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Greenbaum examines the use of use of myth as a means of social control and examines the corporate mythology of the Gilded Age. Progressive politicians led the opposition to these myths, arguing that government was not to be used to enrich corporations, but to reduce their economic and political power and to increase equity. The progressive challenge redirected government to serve the larger commonwealth and, thus, transformed ordinary lives. Gilded Age mythology, resurrected in the 1980s, restored corporate domination and economic inequity. Through his extensive analysis of the lives of six prominent Progressives, Greenbaum seeks to contravene contemporary mythology. He begins with George Norris of Nebraska, a Republican Congressman and Senator from 1906 until 1942; William E. Borah, Republican of Idaho, who served in the Senate from 1906 until his death in 1940; and Hiram Johnson, who was Republican Governor of California, Progressive Vice Presidential candidate in 1912, and Senator from 1916 until his demise in 1945. These chapters are followed by an examination of William Gibbs McAdoo, a New York business promoter, who was Wilson's Secretary of the Treasury, the leading candidate for the 1924 Democratic Presidential nomination, and Senator from California from 1932 until 1938; Bainbridge Colby, a New York legislator, who supported Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 and was Wilson's last Secretary of State; and Edward P. Costigan, Colorado Republican, who became the Progressive appointee to the Tariff Commission and Democratic Senator from 1930 through 1936. The volume concludes with an analysis of the progressive impulse and contrasts progressive views with resurrected Gilded Age mythology, the new ideas of the 1980s. An important study for scholars, students, and other researchers interested in progressivism and the role of government in American socioeconomic life and intelligent readers interested in ideas.

Reviews

"Building on his earlier biographies of LaFollette and Costigan, he makes clear that while there were no 'representative' Progressives, their desire to serve the public interest by opposing business control of politics has a special relevance in today's 'market economy.' This is a book to prompt thinking about the American past and present."-Irwin H. Polishook Professor of History City University of New York
"His evident praise of progressivism with all its differences is a refreshing rejoinder to the usual current attacks on liberalism and ought to find a wide audience beyond academe."-Hans L. Trefousse Distinguished Professor Emeritus Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
"Professor Greenbaum's wonderfully drawn profiles of six early 20th century progressives are long overdue. Their careers and often contrarian positions should remind us of how far society has lapsed into thoughtless acceptance of what have become the governing mythologies of American capitalism. Disagreeing with some of Greenbaum's conclusions will not negate the need to rethink more recent and more fashionable assumptions."-Herbert S. Parmet Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus The City University of New York
.,."Greenbaum has done an excellent job in analyzing...individual reactions to the problems of industrial capitalism, giving the reader a better understanding of what it meant to be a progressive...this is an excellent work...recommended for an academic audience..."-Choice
...Greenbaum has done an excellent job in analyzing...individual reactions to the problems of industrial capitalism, giving the reader a better understanding of what it meant to be a progressive...this is an excellent work...recommended for an academic audience...-Choice
'Men Against Myth' is a scholarly and well-detailed history highlighting the beginnings of progressive social and economic reform in America.-Queens Chronicle
[U]seful catalogue of Progressive politicians' careers.-The Historian
Greenbaum provides as intriguing examination of the bases of the capitalist myth.-Nebraska History
Greenbaum's research is solid. He has a firm command of the subject matter. And his succinct profiles of the six Progressives are informative and readable.-The Journal of American History
"Useful catalogue of Progressive politicians' careers."-The Historian
"'Men Against Myth' is a scholarly and well-detailed history highlighting the beginnings of progressive social and economic reform in America."-Queens Chronicle
"[U]seful catalogue of Progressive politicians' careers."-The Historian
"Greenbaum provides as intriguing examination of the bases of the capitalist myth."-Nebraska History
"Greenbaum's research is solid. He has a firm command of the subject matter. And his succinct profiles of the six Progressives are informative and readable."-The Journal of American History
..."Greenbaum has done an excellent job in analyzing...individual reactions to the problems of industrial capitalism, giving the reader a better understanding of what it meant to be a progressive...this is an excellent work...recommended for an academic audience..."-Choice

Author Bio

FRED GREENBAUM is Professor of History at Queensborough Community College, City University of New York. Professor Greenbaum has published widely on reform in America, including Fighting Progressive: A Biography of Edward Prentiss Costigan and Robert Marion LaFollette.