"The Hammer" by Hamilton Nolan is a timely and vital exploration of the American labor movement and its critical place in society and politics today. Nolan, an acclaimed labor reporter, argues that inequality is America's biggest problem, and unions are the single strongest tool that working people have to fix it.

The book delves into the decline of organized labor over the decades and the current moment of opportunity it faces. Nolan highlights the recent wave of strikes and new organizing campaigns that have driven the popularity of unions to historic highs, and he examines the battle within the labor movement over how to tap into its revolutionary potential.

Through chapters that span the country, Nolan shows readers the actual places where labor and politics meld. He highlights successful examples of organized labor wielding power effectively, such as a union that dominates Las Vegas and a decades-long campaign to organize California's child care workers. He also follows Sara Nelson, the head of the flight attendants' union, as she struggles with asserting herself as a national leader.

"The Hammer" draws the line from forgotten workplaces in rural West Virginia to Washington's halls of power, demonstrating how labor solidarity can transform American politics. Nolan, who helped unionize his own industry, provides an urgent on-the-ground excavation of the past, present, and future of the American labor movement.

Overall, "The Hammer" is a compelling and insightful examination of the role of organized labor in shaping the economic and social course of American life. 📚❤️