Upton Sinclair and the Other American Century

Henry Luce called the twentieth century the American Century, praising its industrial innovation, international might, and entrepreneurial icons like Carnegie, Ford, and Rockefeller.

But there' s another version of America, one less a cause for celebration- an America of social injustice, bitter hardships, and widespread inequality.

That other American Century is epitomized by Upton Sinclair, and most prominently depicted in his book The Jungle, an achievement that led many to call him the greatest writer of the century.

The fame he gained allowed him to become a formidable opponent of the powerful forces he saw oppressing the common man- from religion to unregulated capitalism. Kevin Mattson (Athens, OH) is the Connor Study Professor of Contemporary History at Ohio University.

He contributes regularly to publications like the Baffler, the Nation, and the New York Times Book Review.