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Class War, Then and Now

Essays toward a New Left

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Pub Date 28 Aug 2025 | Archive Date 22 Jan 2026


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Description

For nearly fifty years, America's working class has been under relentless attack.
 

Wages have stagnated, inequality has soared, and the majority now lives paycheck to paycheck--while trillions of dollars flow upward into the pockets of the wealthiest few.

 
Class War, Then and Now is both a searing indictment of this economic and political order and an impassioned call to arms for a new left rooted in class struggle, solidarity, and socialist values.
 
Drawing on a decade of essays and articles originally published in outlets such as Dissent, New Politics, CounterPunch, Socialist Forum, and Common Dreams, historian Chris Wright examines the deep roots of capitalism's crises and the failures of the contemporary left to confront them. In sharp, accessible prose, Wright tackles:
 
    * The centrality of class struggle in building a movement that can unite working people
    * Why identity politics, while important, must not overshadow the fight against capitalism
    * The overlooked necessity of nuclear power in addressing climate change
    * Lessons from labor history, from Jimmy Hoffa to modern union battles
    * The catastrophic consequences of American imperialism
    * How organized labor remains humanity's most universal force for justice

With the urgency of a manifesto and the depth of historical scholarship, Wright argues that only a rational, international, and truly Marxist left can stop the United States--and the world--from sliding into neofascism and ecological collapse.
 
If you care about economic justice, social reform, and the future of democracy, Class War, Then and Now will challenge your thinking, sharpen your arguments, and inspire action.

For nearly fifty years, America's working class has been under relentless attack.
 

Wages have stagnated, inequality has soared, and the majority now lives paycheck to paycheck--while trillions of...


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Featured Reviews

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Class War, Then and Now is a wide-ranging and uncompromising collection of essays that examines capitalism, class struggle, and the political failures that have shaped modern society. Spanning topics from labor history and imperialism to climate change and the limits of identity politics, the book presents a cohesive argument for re-centering class as the foundation of meaningful social change. Each essay builds on the last, creating a larger narrative about how the left arrived at its current moment and where it might go next.

Complex historical and political ideas are presented in a direct, accessible voice that never talks down to the reader. The essays move fluidly between theory and real-world examples, grounding abstract ideas in lived economic realities. Discussions of organized labor, nuclear energy, and American imperialism feel urgent and relevant, offering both critique and direction rather than abstract commentary.

This is a book that challenges assumptions and rewards careful reading. It asks readers to reconsider popular political frameworks and to engage seriously with questions of power, solidarity, and collective action. For anyone concerned about economic justice and the future of democracy, Class War, Then and Now offers insight, intellectual rigor, and a strong sense of purpose that lingers long after the final page.

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If you are tired of watered-down politics and surface-level takes, this book hits hard. I flew through Class War, Then and Now because it actually says something real about power, money, and who gets crushed in the process. It connects history, labor, climate, and modern politics in a way that made everything click for me. I loved how bold and clear it was and how it refuses to dodge uncomfortable truths. This is the kind of book people should read if they want to understand what is really happening and why pretending everything is fine is not an option anymore. 🔥📘

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Keeping It Real About Power and Class
Class War, Then and Now is a sharp, no-nonsense read that cuts through political noise and reminds us why class struggle still matters more than buzzwords.

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