A riveting novel of labor strife and apocalyptic violence that maps the frontier where the masses become a mobAt once a relentlessly fast-paced, admirably observed novel of social unrest and the story of a young man’s struggle for identity, In Dubious Battle is set in the California apple country, where a strike by migrant workers against rapacious landowners spirals out of control, as principled defiance metamorphoses into blind fanaticism. Caught in the upheaval is Jim Nolan, a once aimless man who finds himself in the course of the strike, briefly becomes its leader, and is ultimately crushed in its service.“Dramatically intense, beautifully written. It is the real thing; it has a vigor of sheer storytelling that may sweep away many prejudices.†—The New Republic
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"Started listening to this book on Book Radio, and since it was mostly dialogue it was a good way to start it (had to check it out of the library to finish). I love Steinbeck, love labor union history, and understand the influence of the American Communist Party in the movement. Steinbeck showed both sides of mob mentality, its usefulness, it's uncontrollable consequences. He also was able to illustrate the fact that both sides of a noble cause are users and easily forget the individual for the sake of the "vision". Fatal flaw of pure communism and pure conservativism, in my opinion."
— Emily (5 out of 5 stars)
" Neat book that outlines labor strikers and how they were all perceived as Communists. "
— Adam, 2/13/2014" Another amazing Steinbeck, less well known than the others I've read. It's really, really good. If you liked Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men, you'll like this. "
— Hanna, 2/6/2014" A very memorable book. I didn't quite like the politics behind it however the story was a page turner "
— Anita, 1/24/2014" The book that brought Steinbeck's commercial success is well constructed & belongs alongside Grapes of Wrath & Of Mice & Men as an early American labor classic. Even Hemingway would be hard pressed to match the gory detail Steinbeck gives the boxing match toward the end. Unlike some of Steinbeck's longer works, the pacing of this story moves at a good clip with well drawn characters and plenty of action. The novel does close a little abruptly, but in a way that leaves the reader wondering about the future not only of the characters, but of the labor movement, and workers rights. "
— Michael, 1/17/2014" I've really begun to enjoy Mr. Steinbeck's writing style and talent, but In Dubious Battle was just too dark, depressing, and discouraging for me to enjoy, despite being so well written. "
— Dan, 1/9/2014" horrible. reads like a screenplay for a bad soviet propaganda film. hard to believe this was written by the same man who, a few years later, produced Grapes of Wrath. and hard to believe this book would be remembered today if not for that fact. "
— Thomas, 1/2/2014" Apple pickers strike. Written before Grapes of Wrath. Not as rich, but good. I sometimes felt I didn't quite have a handle on the characters. "
— Christie, 12/18/2013" Steinbeck is in good form with this novel, covering the struggle of orchard workers against a rich farmer, giving his usual eloquent description and engrossing characters. I don't hear this one being mentioned too often of Steinbeck's works, which is a shame. "
— Hadrian, 12/13/2013" another one that made high school worthwhile "
— Billy, 12/6/2013" Good book but too much cussing "
— Maaian, 11/30/2013" This is one of the best novels I've read in a while. "
— Pamela, 11/17/2013" Probably part of his back pages, but worth reading for the dialogue. I always enjoy the way Steinbeck depicts a character's speech and movement "
— Patrick, 11/12/2013" that great Steinbeck style, but the story lags on. Good for reading about unions, if you're interested. "
— Nanci, 11/11/2013" My favorite Steinbeck novel. I've always been a bit of a pinko at heart, though. "
— Ashley, 9/21/2013" Had to read this for an English class in college and was pleasantly surprised. The ending took the cake! Completely unexpected! "
— Anthony, 9/6/2013" Steinbeck is amazing as usual. The book keeps you entrapped in it from the first page. The subject is [as always] heartbreaking. But maybe this time it was a little too much for me. Loved the book, but it was quite horrible. "
— Rose, 7/31/2013" Made me want to organize some workers, go on strike, and "want nothing for myself." "
— Annette, 5/8/2013" Unlike any book I've ever read, but eerily relevant to modern-day politics. "
— Lisa, 4/5/2013" Had a hard time getting through this one. Had to finish it just because it's a Steinbeck and I felt like I should. "
— Kimberly, 2/26/2013" An easy to read fast paced story based on left wing radicals "reds" helping to stir up strike trouble. I really enjoyed it. It doesn't have the depth of other Steinbeck novels but it is still a good read in its own right. "
— Pezlo7, 12/6/2012" i think this book may have been very relevant at one time, but it felt like a lesson that i had learned long ago, and boring at that. "
— Jenny, 5/22/2012" I read this in college and can still recall with clarity the images it conjured in my imagination. "
— Dawn, 1/12/2012" I felt a little let down by this. Maybe because the first Steinbeck I read was East of Eden, so it's hard to compare anything to that. I also tend to dislike books where the main characters are not really "protagonists" in any meaningful way. "
— Chris, 1/11/2012" A big fat "meh." This book had great Steinbeck descriptive narratives, but the dragging plot of a socialist uprising on an apple farm was weighed down by propaganda. I struggled to get through this and would not read it again. "
— Crysta, 12/31/2011" abandoned... still don't think I'm ready to move to classics "
— Christine, 5/23/2011" Had to read in High school not my favorite.<br/> "
— Kelle, 5/23/2011" Loved this book. Hard to read at times, due to the painful descriptions of life in those times. "
— Steve, 5/20/2011" "The fambly's tired, Pa." Steinbeck--the master of dialogue. "
— Pascal, 5/20/2011" I was so glad that I read this in a class, with some guidance. It was challenging for me, and I don't think I would have finished it on my own (in high school). "
— Kori, 5/20/2011" I didn't enjoy this book, read it for High School english. <br/>It had far too much swearing and profanity in it.<br/>Wouldn't reccomend it. Chelsea "
— Chelsea, 5/19/2011" Well written but too sad. I don't like sad things. "
— Synthia, 5/18/2011" What a stunningly great book. It's long, but never a slog. You can practically taste the dust in Oklahoma, you can feel the characters' hunger and despair. Sadly, this book seems all too reflective of our current state, or at least where we may be headed. "
— Tim, 5/16/2011" During the depression, a poor family leaves their home in Oklahoma, hoping to find jobs as grape pickers in California. Although they find work in California, the conditions are barely tolerable. "
— Thadd, 5/12/2011" It was a REALLY well written book but it moved it a VERY slow pace. There was a lot of great symbolism and writing techniques but the book was a little too slow for my taste. "
— Kaili, 5/12/2011" This book perfectly displays what is wrong with democracy, capitalism, and how we treat our fellow Americans. "
— Steve, 5/12/2011John Steinbeck (1902–1968) remains one of the quintessential writers of American literature. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck attended Stanford University before working at a series of mostly blue-collar jobs and embarking on his literary career. Profoundly committed to social progress, he used his writing to raise issues of labor exploitation and the plight of the common man, penning some of the greatest American novels of the twentieth century and winning such prestigious awards as the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. He received the Nobel Prize in 1962, “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” He wrote more than twenty-five novels during his lifetime.
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.