Masks of Anarchy : The History of a Radical Poem, From Percy Shelley to the Triangle Factory Fire

__Masks of Anarchy__ tells the extraordinary story of Percy Shelley’s poem “The Masque of Anarchy,” from its conception in Italy and suppression in England to the moment it became a catalyst for protest among New York City workers a century later. Shelley penned the poem in 1819, after hearing of the Peterloo Massacre, where British cavalry charged peaceful political demonstrators near Manchester. His words would later inspire figures as wide-ranging as Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi—and also Pauline Newman, the woman the New York Times called the “New Joan of Arc” in 1907. Newman was a Jewish immigrant who worked in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, and came to be a leading organizer—and the first female organizer—of one of America’s most powerful unions, the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. As she marched with tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the streets, Shelley’s poem never ceased to inspire her. “Shake your chains to earth like dew,” it implores. “Ye are many—they are few.” Masks Of Anarchy Tells The Extraordinary Story Of Percy Shelley{u2019}s Poem {u2018}the Masque Of Anarchy,{u2019} From Its Conception In Italy And Suppression In England To The Moment It Became A Catalyst For Protest Among New York City Workers A Century Later. Shelley Penned The Poem In 1819, After Hearing Of The Peterloo Massacre, Where British Cavalry Charged Peaceful Political Demonstrators Near Manchester. His Words Would Later Inspire Figures As Wide-ranging As Henry David Thoreau And Mahatma Gandhi{u2014}and Also Pauline Newman, The Woman The New York Times Called The {u2018}new Joan Of Arc{u2019} In 1907. Newman Was A Jewish Immigrant Who Worked In The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, And Came To Be A Leading Organizer -- And The First Female Organizer -- Of One Of America{u2019}s Most Powerful Unions, The International Ladies{u2019} Garment Workers{u2019} Union. As She Marched With Tens, Sometimes Hundreds Of Thousands Of New Yorkers In The Streets, Shelley{u2019}s Poem Never Ceased To Inspire Her. {u2018}shake Your Chains To Earth Like Dew,{u2019} It Implores. {u2018}ye Are Many -- They Are Few.{u2019}--publisher's Description. Foreword / Paul Buhle -- Preface -- The Devil's Work -- Her Name Was Hope -- Afloat, Drifting -- Hairbrushes & Cigarettes -- From Graveyard To Mountaintop -- Let A Vast Assembly Be -- Peterloo -- The Factory Fire -- The Mask Of Anarchy -- Epilogue. Michael Demson ; Illustrated By Summer Mcclinton. "Masks of Anarchy tells the extraordinary story of Shelley's 'The Masque of Anarchy, ' its conception in Italy, its suppression in England, and how it became a rallying cry for workers across the Atlantic a century later. 'Shake your chains to earth like dew, ' it implores. 'Ye are many - they are few.' In 1819, British troops attacked a peaceful crowd of demonstrators near Manchester, killing and maiming hundreds. News of the Peterloo Massacre, as it came to be known, traveled to the young English poet Percy Shelley, then living in Italy, who immediately sat down at his desk and penned one of the greatest political poems in the English language. His words would later inspire figures as wide-ranging as Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi - and also Pauline Newman, the woman the New York Times called the 'New Joan of Arc' in 1907. Newman was a Jewish immigrant who grew up in the tenements of New York City's Lower East Side, worked in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, and came to be one of the leading organizers - and the first female organizer - of one of America's most powerful unions, the International Ladies' Garments Workers' Union. Marching with tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the streets, Newman found Shelley's poetry a perennial source of inspiration."--Publisher description "Masks of Anarchy tells the extraordinary story of Percy Shelley's poem "The Masque of Anarchy, " from its conception in Italy and suppression in England to the moment it became a catalyst for protest among New York City workers a century later. Shelley penned the poem in 1819, after hearing of the Peterloo Massacre, where British cavalry charged peaceful political demonstrators near Manchester. His words would later inspire figures as wide-ranging as Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi and also Pauline Newman, the woman the New York Times called the "New Joan of Arc" in 1907. Newman was a Jewish immigrant who worked in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, and came to be a leading organizer -- and the first female organizer -- of one of America's most powerful unions, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. As she marched with tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the streets, Shelley's poem never ceased to inspire her. "Shake your chains to earth like dew," it implores. "Ye are many -- they are few."--Publisher's description Masks of Anarchy tells the extraordinary story of Percy Shelley's poem "The Masque of Anarchy," from its conception in Italy and suppression in England to the moment it became a catalyst for protest among New York City workers a century later. Shelley penned the poem in 1819, after hearing of the Peterloo Massacre, where British cavalry charged peaceful political demonstrators near Manchester. His words would later inspire figures as wide-ranging as Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi'and also Pauline Newman, the woman the New York Times called the "New Joan of Arc" in 1907. Newman was a Jewish immigrant who worked in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, and came to be a leading organizer'and the first female organizer'of one of America's most powerful unions, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. As she marched with tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the streets, Shelley's poem never ceased to inspire her. "Shake your chains to earth like dew," it implores. "Ye are many'they are few." From the Trade Paperback edition A graphic history of a poem that became an inspiration to immigrant workers in New York