Forty Gavels

FORTY GAVELS is the ground-breaking story of Illinois AFL-CIO President Reuben Soderstrom (1930-1970) and the American Labor Movement he helped build. For over four decades, Soderstrom led one of the nation's largest labor organizations through the most challenging, exciting, and impactful events of the twentieth century. From the depths of depression and war to the boom of postwar prosperity, through the birth of both the AFL-CIO and the Civil Rights Movement, Soderstrom was there, forging a legacy as one of organized labor's most prolific voices. Adopting a year-by-year study of these years, this three-volume biography follows Reuben to the front line of violent strikes, rowdy union meetings in Chicago, and policy summits at the White House, making Forty Gavels one of the most in-depth studies of the American Movement ever made.

"Reuben Soderstrom was a giant, one of the seminal figures of the labormovement at both the state and national level at a time when America was defined by transformative leaders and powerful institutions. It isprofoundly gratifying to see his story--and the story of laboritself--told in such an in-depth and celebrated fashion. Teeming withextensive direct sources and photos, Forty Gavels will be anindispensable reference for students of organized labor and its role inthe historical development of middle class America."
--Robert Bruno, Ph.D.
Professor of Labor and Employment Relations, University of Illinois

"Reuben Soderstrom's legacy has been profound, lasting and inspiring. Iencourage everyone to enjoy the great history of our state organizationcaptured in the beautiful pages of this book. It is a real treasureworthy of the man it celebrates."
--Michael Carrigan
President, Illinois AFL-CIO

"We honor and welcome this biography of Brother Reuben Soderstrom, andsalute his life-long dedication to improving the lives of workingfamilies both in Illinois and nationwide."
--Richard Trumka
President, AFL-CIO