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Muckraking: Three Landmark Articles
Printed together for the first time since their original publication in 1903, Ray Stannard Baker’s piece on the coal strike, "The Right to Work"; Lincoln Steffens’ exposé of political corruption, "The Shame of Minneapolis"; and Ida Tarbell’s story of corporate villainy, "The Oil War of 1872"; along with an editorial from S. S. McClure and the narrative of Ellen Fitzpatrick, invite students to explore and understand "muckraking."
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
132 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1903
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 10, 2013
This was an excellent book. It is well organized and carefully documented. In a short space, it offers an interesting, insightful view of a critical period in American history.
It was an engaging narrative well organized to provide the historical context needed to understand and appreciate the three essays. Despite criticism of the muckrakers’ efforts, I think their efforts were admirable, “a product of the social and political environment”of the time. Generally, their research was precise and thorough, and their writing style and presentation were inspired and clear despite the complexities of the issues.
Political commentator Walter Lippmann provided a thoughtful assessment of the value of the muckrakers:
There must have been real causes for dissatisfaction, or the land notorious for its worship of success would not have turned so savagely upon those who had achieved it….The muckrakers…played an important role in applying to business and politics an emerging public standard of ethics in government.
After President Theodore Roosevelt’s condemnation of muckraking in April 1906, the active muckraking movement slowly faded from American magazines.
It was an engaging narrative well organized to provide the historical context needed to understand and appreciate the three essays. Despite criticism of the muckrakers’ efforts, I think their efforts were admirable, “a product of the social and political environment”of the time. Generally, their research was precise and thorough, and their writing style and presentation were inspired and clear despite the complexities of the issues.
Political commentator Walter Lippmann provided a thoughtful assessment of the value of the muckrakers:
There must have been real causes for dissatisfaction, or the land notorious for its worship of success would not have turned so savagely upon those who had achieved it….The muckrakers…played an important role in applying to business and politics an emerging public standard of ethics in government.
After President Theodore Roosevelt’s condemnation of muckraking in April 1906, the active muckraking movement slowly faded from American magazines.
September 2, 2015
An interesting piece of how these 3 people investigated and reported the happenings surrounding the oil and mining booms of the 1890s-1900's.
What is more interesting is how it was despised by some that these 3 writers simply informed people of what was going on and being demonized for not providing a solution. Similar to what happens today in the political arena. Funny how not much changes over time eh?
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Good book.
What is more interesting is how it was despised by some that these 3 writers simply informed people of what was going on and being demonized for not providing a solution. Similar to what happens today in the political arena. Funny how not much changes over time eh?
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Good book.
February 24, 2012
Makes me wonder what I'm missing out on by not reading the paper.
April 19, 2014
An interesting primer into the muckraker era of journalism based on some lars in the field.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews