Who really makes history?
Radical Connecticut tells the stories of everyday people and well-known figures whose work has often been obscured, denigrated or dismissed.
Here you can find narratives of social movements and popular organizations in Connecticut that have changed the state and the country for the better.
Unlike a traditional history that focuses on the actions of politicians, generals, business moguls and other elites, these volumes feature workers, the poor, people of color, peacemakers, women, students, artists and others who joined the never-ending struggle for justice and freedom.
They offer a fresh look at history that can spark young people to engage in social justice work in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.
They can also be used as handbooks of strategy and tactics for those who are engaged in today’s social struggles. Whether you are a veteran or a novice, they remind us that today —and down through the years— organizing will always be worth the effort.
Who is the book written for?
Books like Radical (”from the roots”) Connecticut weren’t written to end up as dusty books on the shelf. In both style and content, readers discover stories that are enjoyable, informative and inspiring.
Is this history relevant outside Connecticut?
Yes! The events and individuals described here are linked in many ways to national and international campaigns. Our local stories provide a new perspective to help us better understand the big picture.
The movements of the past remind us that we are not alone and we can learn from each other. We’re able to write our own history so future readers can learn from us.
Reviews of ‘Radical Connecticut’
“This is people’s history at its best…a monumental work of scholarship that is also loads of fun to read…they inspire all of us to see that we too live in places alive with radical history.”
—Kristin Lawler, Professor of Sociology, of Mount Saint Vincent, New York
“Needed insight and perspective on the History of the Constitution State…Should be required reading in every school.”
—Yohuru Williams, Professor of History and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas
“Connecticuters have a long tradition of making history ‘from the bottom up’… Enlightening and just plain fun to read, Radical Connecticut belongs in every library in the state.”
—Priscilla Murolo, co-author of From the Folks Who Brought You the Weekend: An Illustrated History of Labor in the United States
“A young Connecticut public school student once described her Connecticut history class as “the story of great white men and their great inventions”…Radical Connecticut tells the other side of the story.”
— Jeremy Brecher, author, documentarian and activist
“For people who actually lived in Connecticut, the factories could be grim, struggles for unionization fierce. Activists of every kind faced threats from the vested interests, yet fight they did, leaving their mark on progress in so many ways.”
—Paul Buhle, American historian, retired Senior Lecturer, Brown University
Product Details
ISBN:9798989802500
Binding:Trade Paperback
Publication date:02/20/2024
Publisher:Hard Ball Press
Language:English
Pages:362
Height:.75IN Width:6.00IN
Author:Andy Piascik
Author:Steve Thornton
PURCHASE AT THE SHOELEATHER BOOKSHOP
Bookshop.org/shop/shoeleather
Also, purchase at Hardball Press, Powell’s, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and more.
Price $20
From the book:
The Shoeleather History Project 
I want to purchase Signed Copy..”he said.” (860) 995-7091
William M. Brown
Cash on the barrel head. My experience is that getting readers or supporters to post reader comments on Amazon helps promote a book, not just with people looking at them on Amazon, but is something that independent booksellers look at. I have been far behind on this email, with a lot of health and other stuff interfering, feel bad I did not see this until today. I am awaiting the book with joy Tony Thomas
ISBN:9798989802500
First let me say, great book. I am enjoying reading about those who came before and brought us to where we are at today. As a working-class queer outside of the tamed left I must say that I am a bit taken back by the lack of very much radical LGBTQI+ communities’ stories. Perhaps some of the most radical “hisstory” of a group of oppressed people fighting to get out from under the thumb of straights and fighting like heck to do so. Furbirdsqueerly is planning to put together an essay exploring more than the two essays included in the book on how our people not only upset and pushed over the apple cart of straight amerikkka but went as Huey P. Newton said, from the most oppressed in amerikkka to a freedom no matter how shaky it stands that we have today.
Thanks R. You are right about the book: it is not nearly as complete as it could have been. I haven’t written as many LGBTQI+ stories in general, so less to choose from (that goes for other important topics too). I intend to do better!
Steve