Cultures of Solidarity

"I would rate this book near the top of whatever scales measure importance. Good, strong, first-rate, unusually worthy, original—these are the adjectives that come to my mind."—Kai Erikson, Yale University "This is a powerful and important book. It will challenge and educate specialists in the areas of the sociology and history of unions and social movements and the sociology of organizations."—Michael Schwartz, SUNY, Stony Brook A commonplace assumption about American workers is that they lack class consciousness. This perception has baffled social scientists, demoralized activists, and generated a significant literature on American exceptionalism. In this provocative book, a young sociologist takes the prevailing assumptions to task and sheds new light upon this very important issue. In three vivid case studies Fantasia explores the complicated, multi-faceted dynamics of American working-class consciousness and collective action.