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Muckrakers: How Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, and Lincoln Steffens Helped Expose Scandal, Inspire Reform, and Invent Investigative Journalism
CCBC Review:
Investigative journalism is something we take for granted today. But early in the twentieth century it was just developing as a facet of journalism—one seeded by the fierce desire to expose corruption and foment change. Ann Bausum profiles the emergence of investigative journalism through the work of three pioneers in the field: Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, and Lincoln Steffens. Steffens laid bare political corruption in St. Louis, Minneapolis, and other cities; Tarbell took on the Rockefeller family and the monopoly of Standard Oil that trod on smaller businesses and workers; Sinclair exposed the terrible conditions in the meatpacking industry, hoping to improve the plight of its workers (instead his work horrified the American public about unsanitary food and inspired food safety legislation). Bausum also touches upon the work of other journalists, as well as groundbreaking editors at magazines such as McClure’s who supported and published their work. Brief accounts of key events and individuals in the history of investigative journalism, from the mid-eighteenth century though today, end this eye-opening volume. ©2007 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Wisconsin author
Ann Bausum grew up in Lexington, Virginia. She moved to Wisconsin to attend Beloit College. She currently lives in Janesville.
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 11-15
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Formats:
Biography, Autobiography and Memoir
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
20th Century
Biography
Class Issues
History (Nonfiction)
Journalism and Media
Politics and Political Systems
Truth and Lies
U.S. History
Work and Labor
Publisher:
National Geographic
Publish Year: 2007
Pages: 111
ISBN: 9781426301377
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Bausum