Work has always been central to the African American experience. Whether as slaves or freedmen, African Americans have struggled to gain economic opportunity. For Jobs and Freedom: Race and Labor in America since 1865 analyzes the position of African American workers in the U.S. economy and social order over the past century and a half. This comprehensive study focuses on black workers' efforts to gain equal rights in the workplace and deals extensively with organized labor's complex and tumultuous relationship with African Americans. Highlighting the problems and opportunities that have characterized efforts to build biracial unions and forge a strong labor civil rights political coalition, it is an authoritative treatment on the subject of race and labor in modern America.

About the Author
Robert H. Zieger is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Florida and the author of several books, including American Workers, American Unions, The CIO: 1935-1950 and John L. Lewis: Labor Leader.

Reviews
"Over a distinguished career, Zieger has earned a reputation for intelligent, balanced scholarship grounded in solid research and a thorough command of the burgeoning secondary literature on American labor. Those qualities are evident in his latest work, a thoughtful, engaging, and expansive survey... will immediately take its place as the standard in the field." - Journal of American History "The book's fluid, intelligent writing style makes it accessible to interested general readers and undergraduate and graduate students alike. Highly recommended." - Choice"



Book Information
ISBN 9780813192598
Author Robert H. Zieger
Format Paperback
Page Count 312
Imprint The University Press of Kentucky
Publisher The University Press of Kentucky