The People of the Abyss (1903) is a book by Jack London (1876-1916) about life in the East End of London in 1902. He wrote this first-hand account by living in the East End for several months, sometimes staying in workhouses or sleeping on the streets. The conditions he experienced and wrote about were the same as those endured by an estimated 500,000 of the contemporary London poor. Decades later, this book inspired George Orwell to write Down and Out in Paris and London.
A bit late to be a contemporary of Henry George, Jack London lived mainly in northern California and was a passionate advocate of workers’ rights. Both London and George were members of Bohemian Grove.
(source: Wikipedia)
The People of the Abyss is available free on line as text from Gutenberg, and as an audiobook from LibriVox, as well as in hardcopy from various libraries and book dealers.
Political Economy Book Club is open to everyone wishing to participate in the discussion, without charge altho donations are appreciated to help pay for rent and snacks. Convenor Bob Matter appreciates an RSVP from those planning to attend.
Resurrection (1899)
By Leo Tolstoy
This late 19th-century novel about nobleman Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhlyudov’s efforts at redemption after a life of sin is Tolstoy’s last major novel before his death in 1910. The readers will have a complex relationship with the tormented protagonist and his desperate attempts at redemption and forgiveness, since Nekhlyudov’s misguided decisions and youthful errors are often not so dissimilar from our own. Resurrection is a scathing exposition of the myriad prejudices of the man-made justice system and the hypocrisy of the establishment, while it also explores the economic philosophy of Georgism – of which Tolstoy had become a strong advocate toward the end of his life. [from the Culture Trip]
Political Economy Book Club discussions are open to everyone interested, without charge, and the text (in English translation) is available free from various sources including archive.org, who also offer a free audiobook. There is also a more recent translation by Anthony Briggs, which can be purchased or licensed in various formats and is available in some public libraries. Any questions about the PEBC may be directed to Convenor Bob Matter,
Because it’s important for concerned people to understand the basis of Henry George’s proposal, we have a special offer for college and graduate students in economics, public policy, and related fields. A generous supporter of the Henry George School will pay you $40 to participate in this two-hour program (90 minute presentation plus 30 minutes of discussion and questionnaire). You must bring your school identification card. If you are concerned about the causes of poverty you will find this presentation to be of interest. The session is also open to faculty.
Checks will be mailed. Henry George School reserves the right to limit the number of attendees.
This presentation has been cancelled. We will let you know when it’s been rescheduled. There will be no presentation February 21, 2019.
The Battle of Lincoln Park tells the story of how people with clashing visions and values fought to determine the path gentrification would take before anyone was using that word. Calling on the power of private funds, public policy, moral appeals, and both nonviolent and violent protest, residents of Old Town and Lincoln Park struggled over the meaning of “desirable” homes, “neighborhood character”, and what kind of city Chicago should be. The outcomes set the tone for profound changes to the city that are still unfolding today.
Acclaimed author Daniel Kay Hertz has written extensively on subjects relating to gentrification, housing, urban demographics, and transportation. This is his first book.
Registration is required for this free event. Building security will print a badge for you to go upstairs. If you plan to come, or are just considering the possibility, please let us know by email events@hgchicago.org or by phoning us at 312 362-9302.
This presentation has been rescheduled and will now take place Thursday, March 7, 2019, at 6:15 pm.
The Battle of Lincoln Park tells the story of how people with clashing visions and values fought to determine the path gentrification would take before anyone was using that word. Calling on the power of private funds, public policy, moral appeals, and both nonviolent and violent protest, residents of Old Town and Lincoln Park struggled over the meaning of “desirable” homes, “neighborhood character”, and what kind of city Chicago should be. The outcomes set the tone for profound changes to the city that are still unfolding today.
Acclaimed author Daniel Kay Hertz has written extensively on subjects relating to gentrification, housing, urban demographics, and transportation. This is his first book.
Registration is required for this free event. Building security will print a badge for you to go upstairs. If you plan to come, or are just considering the possibility, please let us know by email events@hgchicago.org or by phoning us at 312 362-9302.
Please register for this Zoom Webinar by clicking the green registration button.
David Wilson, author of the forthcoming book Towns Along the Q, will discuss the consequences of certain disastrous and discriminatory housing policies that he has become familiar with in the course of researching the topic, development of Chicago’s western suburbs along the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railway.
