Agitate! educate! organize!

the long version

This book contains over 200 full-color images (from a database of over 800 posters selected from labor archives and special collections around the US) and roughly 20,000 words, plus a bibliography and index. For each image the historical background is supplemented with aesthetic analysis that helps readers understand the social forces represented in the graphics as well as the cultural origins and design strategies. Although a few of the posters are by well-known artists such as Ben Shahn or Rockwell Kent, most are by less-known professional artists and amateurs. The scope includes historical and contemporary examples.