American Socialist
The Life and Legacy of Eugene V. Debs
- Hardcover
416 pages
- Release Date
12 October 2026
Summary
Before Bernie Sanders, before Zohran Mamdani, America’s favorite socialist was Eugene Debs.
In 1912, some 1,200 Socialists held elected office across the United States. Wisconsin had a Socialist congressman in Washington, and ministers in Oklahoma preached the gospel of “Christian socialism” at revival-style gatherings come summertime. The leader of this vibrant movement? One Eugene V. Debs–part working-class agitator, part radical prophet, a man who made it feel like being an America…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781668056738 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1668056739 |
| Author: | Shawn Gude |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Imprint: | Simon & Schuster |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 416 |
| Release Date: | 12 October 2026 |
| Weight: | 513g |
| Dimensions: | 21mm x 152mm x 229mm |
Critics Review
“A meticulously researched and elegantly narrated account that restores Eugene V. Debs to his rightful place at the center of American history. American Socialist captures both the man and the movement he inspired with remarkable clarity and humanity.”
–Siddharth Kara, Pulitzer Prize finalist for Cobalt Red
“An essential story about one of America’s greatest champions for workers.”
–Bernie Sanders
“An important work of history, impeccably researched and beautifully written. Shawn Gude brings to life one of our great revolutionary figures with the power and complexity he deserves.”
–Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King
“Eugene Debs spent a lifetime building solidarity, a force stronger than gravity–organizing across race, background, origin, language, and every ‘difference’ the boss uses to divide us, including borders. This book couldn’t be more timely.”
–Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CI
“Propulsive. This is more than a biography: it is an inspiration, a reminder that if such a humane mass movement was possible once, it can be again.”
–Greg Grandin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of America, América
Shawn Gude
Shawn Gude is a former editor at Jacobin. Born in Iowa and a proud product of its public schools, he lives with his wife in New York City.
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