CRUSADERS FOR AMERICAN LIBERALISM

Through job -- and a good one -- of compilation, condensation and criticism in this survey of the muckraking era -- 1902-1912. Newspapers, magazines, and the writings of liberal bent revaluated every aspect of national life, politics, government, labor, corruption and reaction on all fronts. They started with exposÉ -- they ended with constructive reform measures, they contributed to social progress. Frank Norris, Finley Peter Dunne, Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, these are a few of them. The material is popularly handled without any great dynamics, a well balanced piece of work, but unlikely to cut a wide swathe.