Author Description

In the turbulent aftermath of the Civil War, a new breed of political reformers emerged—agitators, idealists, and revolutionaries who sought to reshape American society from the ground up. American Radicalism, 1865–1901 is Chester McArthur Destler's masterful chronicle of this often-overlooked chapter in U.S. history, tracing the ideas, movements, and personalities that defied convention during the Gilded Age. With scholarly precision and vivid storytelling, Destler profiles figures ranging from labor leaders and anarchists to utopian socialists and agrarian reformers. The book examines landmark struggles over labor rights, wealth inequality, race, and civil liberties—issues that resonate as powerfully today as they did in the 19th century. Destler's nuanced analysis situates American radicalism within broader global currents and underscores its lasting influence on later reform movements. Comprehensive yet accessible, this is essential reading for anyone interested in political dissent, progressive activism, or the roots of modern American liberalism.