Frank Little and the IWW: The Blood That Stained an American Family

Botkin explores the life of Frank Little (1879–1917), a prominent member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) during its radical effort to organize laborers in the early 20th century. This first book-length biography covers his life from the early hardscrabble years in Oklahoma to his peripatetic efforts with unskilled laborers throughout the West to, ultimately, his violent death. Little combined his belief in the IWW's "One Big Union" concept with agitation on behalf of free speech for labor organizers and supporters, who often encountered fierce corporate and legal resistance. His frenetic organizing took him from the farm fields of California to Minnesota's Iron Range and the copper mines of the Southwest. Little championed workers and became a target of union-busting businessmen. He endured brutal opposition and grave injuries, including his eventual lynching outside of Butte, MT. Botkin's considerable research is documented through notes, a bibliography, and photos. Although the early chapters have a tedious family-history feel (Botkin is a distant relative of her subject), the narrative becomes compelling and informative, even for those unfamiliar with the IWW and labor struggles of the time.Verdict Especially appealing for those interested in the history of the American West and labor history.—Charles K. Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato