To Make My Bread Book

This book blew my mind. I don't think I've ever read anything from what is described as the "socialist realism" genre of the 1930s, but this book was amazing. Why? Because I fear it was so realistic. The existence of the Appalachian mountain folk Lumpkin describes is heart-breaking in its poverty. But what is important to recognize is that they don't see their lives as impoverished. They recognize that their lives are deprived of certain material things, such as food (most definitely), and perhaps some clothing, but in many ways, they are happy. I don't think I ever read a book that so clearly illustrates how capitalism reshaped and redefined the very structure of our daily lives. What does it mean when you commodify your labor? More importantly, in an environment such as the Gastonia Mills, can you ever really commodify your labor in a means distinct from that of your body? Though lengthy, this book is a must-read. What makes it so frightening to read is that nothing in North Carolina has changed. In a right-to-work state, employers have the same rights to exploit the bodies of workers today as they did in the 1930s: isn't Smithfield the perfect example?