Reviews
With journalistic brilliance and political passion, Bill Adler evokes and analyzes an era, a cause and a martyr whose execution still resonates through history. Blending murder mystery with Movement history, he creates a gripping drama that is not only convincingly documented, but so well written that it's a palpable pleasure to read. Almost 100 years after Joe Hill's trial and death, Adler not only "dreams (he) saw Joe Hill last night," he makes a forceful, eloquent and convincing case for Hill's innocence. Whether you believe his argument is right or wrong, he has finally given Joe Hill the fair trial and clear verdict he deserves., By giving the stories he heard from his fellow workers back to them in songs, Joe Hill inspired untold thousands to stand--and sing--in solidarity against the worst industrial and political abuses of his day. As Bill Adler makes clear in this richly told biography, Hill's moral clarity and his fearless criticism of injustice can and should be the music of our times as well., Adler has produced a fully realized picture of [Hill], but also a gripping detective story that comes close to exonerating [him]., Adler meticulously examines the legal proceedings and makes a powerful case that Hill was railroaded by prosecutors intent on destroying him fro his association with the hated Wobblies. Adler even finds new evidence that strongly supports Hill's alibi. Though HIll died young, Adler shows that his sardonic, resilient voice of political protest lived, leaving a powerful influence on folk singers such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Boby Dylan., [Adler] writes beautifully about the life and legacy of Hill. Those who love history, a little bit of mystery and a beautifully written story that tugs at the heartstrings should enjoy The Man Who Never Died ., Excellent... Adler's prose is first rate, his analysis of history impeccable. He draws conclusions where appropriate, and presents an honest account, yet allows the reader to put together the final pieces of the puzzle., [A] fascinating and groundbreaking biography... [Adler has] used the life of Hill to provide a sweeping portrait of militant labor activism in the period leading up to World War I., A readable and informative history of the political, cultural, labor and religious undercurrents of life in Utah and, by extension, the U.S., Intriguing... a fast-paced chronicle of a life that would have gone unsung if not for Hill's martyrdom in the wake of a mockery of a trial., Highly recommended. Appropriate for students and lay readers, this biography is an easy read, provides necessary historical context, and may successfully revive Hill in American popular consciousness., William Adler, an investigative historian, delivers a controversial verdict... Mr. Adler concludes that Hill came to believe that he was worth far more to his cause as a symbol than as an individual. His rousing last words show him to be a man mindful of his legacy: 'Don't waste time in mourning. Organize!', Exhaustively researched. The story of Joe Hill is popular among Western and labor historians, but The Man Who Never Died may be the best biography of the lot. An absorbing narrative., Adler delves into the case's evidence, motives and lack thereof with the spirit of a private investigator, smoothly combined with the detachment of an historian and the passion of an activist. A multi-layered whodunnit., Well-researched revelations about the union martyr and prolific protest songwriter... Adler reveals the man beneath the myth, detailing the life that spawned the legend., Joe Hill is a mythic, martyred figure in the history of American radicalism, part-labor organizer, part-songster. Bill Adler has done a fine job of rediscovering the man as well as the legend., Well-researched and tightly woven... Adler produces the most complete account yet of Joe Hill's life., Adler's biography breaks new ground on Hill's life and the trial that made him a left-wing icon. In its detail and range, [his] book easily surpasses previous biographies of Hill., The Man Who Never Died reminds us that it took a people's movement to create America's middle class, and that people must get moving pronto ¬ for the bosses, bankers, BS-ers, and bastards are going all out to kill it. Adler gives us an epic of investigative reporting and narrative history that will lift you up and, once again, put the 'move' in movement. Don't mourn, read this book, get out of the La-Z-Boy, and join the action., I was delighted to discover that Adler's scrupulously researched and annotated book is also a page-turner. He's a wonderful writer - allowing Joe Hill to be as vivid and larger-than-life as I'm certain he was., Finally. A real Joe Hill biography. Asks all the right questions, digs deep for the answers and reads like a true crime drama à la David Simon., 'I have lived like an artist,' Joe Hill liked to say, 'and I shall die like an artist.' Now William Adler has given Hill's remarkable story with an artist's touch. Careful, powerful, and profoundly moving, The Man Who Never Died is narrative history at its best., "Finally. A real Joe Hill biography. Asks all the right questions, digs deep for the answers and reads like a true crime drama à la David Simon." - Steve Earle, singer-songwriter, author of I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive "Joe Hill is a mythic, martyred figure in the history of American radicalism, part-labor organizer, part-songster. Bill Adler has done a fine job of rediscovering the man as well as the legend." - Sean Wilentz, Sidney and Ruth Lapidus Professor of History at Princeton University, author of Bob Dylan in America "Well-researched revelations about the union martyr and prolific protest songwriter... Adler reveals the man beneath the myth, detailing the life that spawned the legend." - Kirkus Reviews "With journalistic brilliance and political passion, Bill Adler evokes and analyzes an era, a cause and a martyr whose execution still resonates through history. Blending murder mystery with Movement history, he creates a gripping drama that is not only convincingly documented, but so well written that it's a palpable pleasure to read. Almost 100 years after Joe Hill's trial and death, Adler not only "dreams (he) saw Joe Hill last night," he makes a forceful, eloquent and convincing case for Hill's innocence. Whether you believe his argument is right or wrong, he has finally given Joe Hill the fair trial and clear verdict he deserves." - Si Kahn, organizer, songwriter, author of the musical play Joe Hill's Last Will "By giving the stories he heard from his fellow workers back to them in songs, Joe Hill inspired untold thousands to stand-and sing-in solidarity against the worst industrial and political abuses of his day. As Bill Adler makes clear in this richly told biography, Hill's moral clarity and his fearless criticism of injustice can and should be the music of our times as well." - Bob King, president, United Auto Workers " The Man Who Never Died reminds us that it took a people's movement to create America's middle class, and that people must get moving pronto ¬ for the bosses, bankers, BS-ers, and bastards are going all out to kill it. Adler gives us an epic of investigative reporting and narrative history that will lift you up and, once again, put the 'move' in movement. Don't mourn, read this book, get out of the La-Z-Boy, and join the action."- Jim Hightower, populist agitator and editor of the "Hightower Lowdown" "I was delighted to discover that Adler's scrupulously researched and annotated book is also a page-turner. He's a wonderful writer - allowing Joe Hill to be as vivid and larger-than-life as I'm certain he was." - Anne Feeney, labor singer
