In this book Michael Denning studies the working class of 19th and early 20th century America through an unusual medium – the books they read. He views young factory workers of both genders as the main audience of the mass-produced “dime novels” of the era, the action-adventure and rags-to-riches tales in which appealed to readers not as escapism but for the allegories they offered for their own often difficult lives. In this respect, he sees the consumption of the novels not as an act of escapism but as a way of mitigating the capitalist injustice which pervaded their readers’ lives. Though his own writing can be dense, Denning’s explanation of the production process of dime novels and his insights into their audience make this a valuable book for anyone interested in learning about the development of mass culture in Gilded Age and Progressive-era America.

Niad has controlled herself since returning from the Citadel. She has kept out of the public eye and kept off the Guardians’ radar. Her talent is not encouraged by her people, and she is not legally allowed to participate in a rescue, a natural disaster or any law-enforcement actions.

She keeps her head down and continues her work as a vehicle repair specialist until the day that her careful actions mix with a disaster. She finds a fire where a repair job is supposed to be and takes steps to do the best she can for those trapped inside.

That one act is observed by one of the Guardians and evolves into an arrest, a charge, freedom and a change in position. She is ready to gear up.

Review

What I love about this book is that we have a working class heroine, a mechanic, with a job that is little valued in her culture and that she uses her skills to save people.

Very fun. The romance is nice too and she has great parents.

As with any non-fiction I read, this is going slow, made worse by the insights into Thatcherism. She decimated so much in the way of working-class Britain. Between her and Nixon, I don't know who was worse.

Social problems like poverty and unemplyment were once understood as injustices that sprang from flaws within capitalism which, at the very least, had to be addressed. Yet today they have become understood as the consequences of personal behaviour, individual defects and even choice.

As a self-defined member of the working class (and a disabled one at that), I'm sick of a society that demonises my social group for the sole purpose of lining the pockets of the rich. People fail to consider that they too may become disabed at any point and instead join in the hatred that our corrupt system perpetuates. And I'm not just talking about the U.K here, I'm looking at you too America. No-one is actually that intereted in these issues, at least not that I'm aware. All that seemingly matters to most people is that they're part of the "middle class" and as far from a vulnerabe member of society as possibe. This is wrong and the society that perpetuates it is broken.This book, a free friday read, addresses these issues and then some. Owen Jones is a fantastic pioneer of the left. Watch his YouTube channel for a taste of his politics.