John Barnard is professor of history emeritus at Oakland University.
American Vanguard chronicles the history of this union with a style
that combines scholarship with fine writing and a point of view
that is sympathetic but not uncritical."-- "Labor History"
Barnard masterfully presents virtually every major development in
the history of the union as a representative of auto workers in
their dealings with the major automotive companies. This book is an
appreciation for the benefits of younger generations for whom labor
leadership is largely unknown and unimaginable.-- "Journal of
American History"
John Barnard describes the UAW as an American vanguard at the
forefront of efforts to humanize the workplace and fashion a social
contract more favorable to working-class Americans. Exhaustively
researched and crisply written, Barnard's book provides a
thoughtful and often persuasive counterpoint to those scholars who
have criticized the UAW but not fully appreciated the social and
political constraints limiting its options. American Vanguard
performs valuable service in spotlighting these achievements and
reclaiming the UAW's important social legacy.-- "Indiana Magazine
of History"
John Barnard tackles the story of the UAW and its battles with the
urgency of a reporter bringing us the news from the front lines of
a war zone. From the Dirty Thirties through the grim years of World
War II and the postwar era that followed, Barnard has you sitting
on the edge of your seat because you're front and centre in this
607-paged epic tale illustrated with more than 70 black and white
photographs. Not to be missed."-- "The Scoop"
John Barnard's American Vanguard is the first comprehensive history
of what was once America's most powerful and largest union, the
United Auto Workers (UAW). Unlike other recent works, American
Vanguard does not attempt to delve into the culture of the workers
themselves. Barnard's descriptions of the internal political
battles Reuther engaged in for control of the union are especially
useful. Barnard is also careful to include the roles women and
African Americans played in the UAW throughout history. American
Vanguard is not only valuable to any historian studying American
history but also offers valuable lessons to those concerned with
the present state of the American labor movement.-- "Michigan
Historical Review"
The greatest strength of Barnard's study is his massive research
base. He makes extensive use of union archives and conducted
interviews with a wide array of UAM leaders. He is especially
effective in bringing home the extent of the struggle required to
establish the union in the major automakers' plants. Barnard's work
succeeds in its most basic goal of making readers appreciate the
achievements of Reuther and other leaders who built and led the UAW
through its greatest years. For scholars in Canada, where the field
of institutional labour history remains underdeveloped, Barnard has
provided another valuable service. He also shows just how much the
field has to offer when served by a dedicated historian."--
"Labour/Le Travail"
Written in clear and lively prose, American Vanguard is the only
one-volume history of this important union. . . .the book is an
effective blend of social and political history and an important
and welcome addition to the literature on twentieth-century labor
and politics."-- "Ohio History"
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