The Autobiography of Mother Jones
Mary Harris Jones
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Autobiography of Mother Jones offers a firsthand account of the life and struggles of one of America’s most influential labor activists. Mary Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones, recounts her journey from a young woman facing personal tragedy to a fierce advocate for workers' rights and social justice.
Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, this autobiography captures the tumultuous labor movements and the fight for fair working conditions. Mother Jones was a pivotal figure in the International Workers of the World and played a significant role in the United Mine Workers, using her voice to rally the oppressed and challenge the status quo.
Through her vivid storytelling, listeners will gain insight into the challenges faced by laborers and the relentless spirit of those who fought for change. This work not only highlights the historical context of labor rights but also reflects the enduring themes of resilience and activism.
Chapters
Select a chapter to play
| The Early Years | 8:38 | Read by Scott Henkel | |
| The Haymarket Tragedy | 9:37 | Read by Scott Henkel | |
| A Strike in Virginia | 5:05 | Read by Elizabeth McAndrew | |
| Wayland's Appeal to Reason | 2:50 | Read by Heather Lambert | |
| Victory at Arnot, Pennsylvania | 14:57 | Read by Elizabeth McAndrew | |
| War in West Virginia | 11:51 | Read by Carl Manchester | |
| A Human Judge | 9:34 | Read by Caitlin Kelly | |
| Roosevelt Sent for John Mitchell | 9:49 | Read by Caitlin Kelly | |
| Murder in West Virginia | 10:39 | Read by Elizabeth McAndrew | |
| March of the Mill Children | 18:56 | Read by Sandra in Wales, United Kingdom | |
| Those Mules Won't Scab Today | 7:28 | Read by Sandra in Wales, United Kingdom | |
| How the Women Mopped Up Coaldale | 6:13 | Read by Sandra in Wales, United Kingdom | |
| The Cripple Creek Strike | 35:42 | Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015) | |
| Child Labor | 31:28 | Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015) | |
| Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone | 7:46 | Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015) | |
| The Mexican Revolution | 13:33 | Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015) | |
| How the Women Sang Themselves Out of Jail | 4:29 | Read by Maddie | |
| Victory in West Virginia | 30:07 | Read by Elizabeth McAndrew | |
| Guards and Gunmen | 5:22 | Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015) | |
| Governor Hunt, Human and Just | 8:46 | Read by Kathy | |
| In Rockefeller's Prisons | 23:01 | Read by Kathy | |
| You Don't Need a Vote to Raise Hell | 13:08 | Read by Kathy | |
| In a West Virginia Prison Camp | 4:56 | Read by Kathy | |
| The Steel Strike of 1919 | 23:22 | Read by Kathy | |
| Struggle and Lose: Struggle and Win | 6:35 | Read by Kathy | |
| Medieval West Virginia | 4:55 | Read by Kathy | |
| Progress in Spite of Leaders | 10:45 | Read by Scott Henkel |
Reviews
the patron saint of labor
Matt Betts
Words falter in expressing the importance of this woman's life and her influence on the culture of American labor, indeed labor itself.. Amazing life story, well read and poignant.
Vicki
Well read . A story that must be remembered .