Efforts of workers in this country to organize and to fight for fair wages and decent working conditions have been long and extremely arduous. The history of the labor movement has been fraught with violence and bloodshed. It was not until Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal that Congress passed laws allowing workers to organize and to strike for the conditions which should have been rightfully theirs all along.

Set in California in the 1930s, _In Dubious Battle_ accurately depicts individuals who strike when the owners of the orchard in which they pick apples decide to reduce their pay. The book documents these workers' extreme poverty and hunger, as well as their fears of bodily harm or even death at the hands vigilantes and police with whom they must contend during the strike. Their leaders, some of whom are on the extreme left political fringes, are men of fervor and dedication who are willing to sacrifice their own lives in the struggle. Steinbeck who often wrote of the sufferings of the common people, to his credit, presents a balanced portrait of these men. Bullying unarmed strikers into a fighting frenzy against men who possess deadly weapons, exploiting the martyrs in their ranks, and stealthily committing arson as methods of gaining them sympathy, were considered ethical acts that justified their worthy ends. One of the book's great strengths was its non-fictional, documentary feel. Admittedly, Steinbeck's matter of fact approach and dialogue sometimes dulled the book's dramatic impact. On the whole, though, I felt as if I were living amongst very realistic people, experiencing their disappointments fighting a dubious battle in an ultimately successful war for economic freedom of all working people.

A long time forgotten when a man had only one concern: to find work at any wage so he could feed his family. No other time in American history exemplifies this best than the Great Depression when transplanted Okies worked up and down the West Coast. In In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck, a group of migrant workers courageously decided to strike against the powerful and wealthy landowners. Wonderfully written, In Dubious Battle engrosses the reader easily eliciting reaction ranging from outrage to shock.

First of all, I was outraged at the owners attempts to break the strike. The owners seemed to have control over just about every thing in the city. For example, the owners hired people called vigilantes to start trouble and then the coops blamed the strikers for the trouble and tried to arrest them. Next, the owners had the newspapers write that the people who got shot were shot by the strikers. A wonder example of how the process used by the owners worked was when a farmer naned Anderson, who let the strikers stay on his farm. The vigilantes burned down his farm, and the papers placed the blame in the strikers. Clearly, the vigilantes and the papers worked for the owners. The puplic did not really know that the strikers were the good guys. The public thought that the strikers were organized crime. For that reason the owners outrage me the most, for decieving the public. However, I was also shocked at how the police and newspapers were seemingly controlled by the owners. The police are supposed to uphold the law at all times. But when one of the strikers was shot and killed by the vigilantes, the cops tried to blame the rest of the strikers, even though the cops knew that the vigilantes did the killing. The papers were also aware of the truth, yet they also blamed the strikers and print editorials written to make the strikers look like organized crime. One of their editorials actually endorsed violence against the strikers:"We believe the time had come to take action...This paper doesnto ad has never believed inviolence; but it does believe that when the law is not sufficient enough to cope eith these kinds of malcontents and miderers, an aroused citezenry must take a hand..."

Besides being impressed with how the story got my attention, I was also impressed the the main character, Jim. He was knew to the whole strike idea and was literally learning as he went along. During the story, Jim is under the guidance of a man named Mac, who is in charge. What impresses me the most is Jim's ability to be the only person who is thinking rationally in times of disorder among the rest of the strikers. THis is illustrated best when the strikers turn into a frenzied mob after someone got beat up. Jim, who is at the moment injured, uses his head to not join the mob to attack the owners, who have used the police to barricade the roads. I often thinkthat rationality is the only advantage the strikers have.

To sum uo, In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck is a wonderful book to read, as are all John Steinbeck novels. A person would read about the hadship endured by the migrant workers in a history book by they would only understand whoat happened by reading one of Steinbeck's novels concerning this subject.

"In Dubious Battle" is basically the first of Steinbeck's socially-engaged novels, in which he portrays a strike staged by itinerant fruit-pickers against price-cutting orchard owners. This is hardly a pamphlet for the labor movement or the Communist Party, though, as Steinbeck is less interested in pontificating than showing the frustations of the workers and the toll that their resistence actually takes on them and the local community. It also shows the organizational difficulties involved in getting a diverse group of dissatisfied workers to work for a common cause. The characterization is vivid and brilliant. Aside from its obvious literary value, this novel also has historical value, for like Sinclair's "The Jungle" (although with greater realism and much less pathos) it provides a powerful description of the plight of working people in America earlier in the 20th century. "In Dubious Battle" gives readers a good idea of the type of courage it took, and still does take, to fight for positive change and social justice.

There was a poor family in La Paz, in a small village. Kino and Juana had a son name Coyotito.
One day, Coyotito was pinched by a scorpion, but his parents did not have enough money to pay for the medication. They unexpectily found a big pearl from the sea, so they decided to sell it and use the money to save Coyotito. Unfortunately, no one was willing to pay a decent price for the pearl. Since the price offer in the village was not enough to pay for the medication, the couple then decide to go to the capital and hoped to find a better buyer who was willing to offer a better price. Although the parent knew better that there would be many obstacles and problem throughout the journey, their love for their son gave them bravery motivation to move on.
The story is very interesting, but the topic is not my favorite. The story is described in detail and it gives me many images as I read on. Therefore, I would give this ***.

I thought John Steinbeck's The Pearl was a classic mexican folk tale, and truly enjoyed it. I don't usually read books or novels, but this was good pick. The Pearl is filled with cliff hangers and it will keep readers of all ages wanting more. Though it was somewhat predictable, it had a message to convey at the end, as all folk tales do. The book is short and very easy to read, but the author John Steinbeck has written many other novels that I might be interested in reading now. I give John Steinbeck two thumbs up!!!!

For a number of times I tried to read John Steibeck's work being in Monterey or in Carmel, CA. I had a feeling that it would help me to move back in time and be with John Steinbeck when he wrote it. It was an amasing feeling. I could see everything and I could feel the poetry in his prosaic writing. He is one of my favorite American writers.

Steinbeck is expert at weaving a tale! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Readers who enjoy adventure, traveling, and experiencing new things will love this book. Travels with Charley is an interesting novel that is almost biographical in the sense that it tells a lot about Steinbeck himself, and his own experiences while traveling across America. The author's descriptions of places such as the Salinas Valley are made so real that I can almost imagine I was there, at that time. While reading this book it is important to not rush through it because it is better understood and enjoyed if you are relaxed while reading. All of the sights are seen through Steinbeck's eyes and retold as Steinbeck sees them. This book also supports the theme that companionship is essential to survival. The companionship and comfort that Charley,the poodle, gives Steinbeck is vital and very necessary. Not only does Charley protect his master, but he is Steinbeck's lifelong friend. Their bond is truly inseparable. Besides this theme, the author touches a little on other topics such as racism in the South, defining the national identity of America and its people, and the loneliness as well as the benevolence of Americans in different geographical regions. As a result of reading Travels with Charley:In Search of America, I want to travel again. My spirit of adventure has come alive!

A guy - a dog - a camper truck named Rocinante(in case you don't know and I didn't--that is the name of Don Quixote's horse.) This is Steinbeck's account of a road trip around the U.S. He traveled via RV before thousands took it up when only a few traveled via camper trucks. It's a 1960 trip with humor, pathos, and keen observation in which Steinbeck sees America from the grass roots.

I loved Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday. I adored East of Eden and The Wayward Bus. I have been reading Steinbeck all of my life. I have seen every movie ever made based on any story he has penned( I mean penciled). This one is the winner for me. I loved his account of everything he saw, but I especially loved the parts about his traveling companion, a 12 year old large French poodle named Charley. Can't travel - read this and you will be making a journey of heart and soul. Like history - it's here. Love America - now you will even more.

I was a baby when Steinbeck married; I was a young teacher when he took this trip. I was a mother of two when his bright candle went out and yet this story is classic - it is contemporary and ageless. My husband and I took turns reading it and shared the laughs and joys. Thanks to Operation Windmills(Steinbeck's original title) I can hardly wait to hit the road again next year. Travels with Charley - a great read!

I'm german, but I spent a year in America and I had to write an essay about the book. I didn't know what it was about when I started reading, but after a few pages Steinbeck caught my attention with his way of writing. I was really impressed how he described his feelings towards the journey. After reading "Of mice and men" I had to correct the view I had of John Steinbeck. The way he describes people is just amazing. I mainly read the book to compare the characters I meet during my year in Kansas with those in the book. But not just the people intested me, also how much the society has changed in 40 years. And I was surprised. Steinbeck previewed several themes that are of importance nowadays. for example the enviromental pronlems we have. Also the lack of interest in political matters. But without Charley the book would never be what it is. One laughs about him(yellostone national Park) but one the other hand one suffers when Charley feel bad. I liked to read the book, because it is written in an easy to understad language. That' why I rated the book 5.

This book "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck is a story about a family of three that live in poverty but they have thier morals to live by. On one tragic day Kino and Juana's son Coyotito got stung by a scorpion. For them to be able to pay a doctor for a cure, Kino and his wife Juana went in search of a pearl. After they found what was said to be "The greates pearl of the world" every one in town wanted part of it. So greed aroused in La Paz. Kino's family was attacked and tricked. Accidents,murder,rage and drama happend throughout the book.

I gave this book two stars, because this book I would say is for bigginer readers or for a younger audience. It was an interesting novela. If you're a person who doesn't read much you might find it very juicy and full of suspense.

JOHN STEINBECK is the author who wrote the pearl.The pearl is about a good couple who live in Baja California and have a son named Coyotito.This son is affected by a disease that is caused by a scorpion-sting.Even though they are poor and don't have money to cure the baby,they found a pearl that can help their son and have a better life.To be greedy is a bad attitude,they went to the capital to sell the pearl.To arrive in the capital they have to attend many obstacles in the sadness or the happiness.Let's see what would happen?
I think this book is excellent because it shows us how to save money and not be greedy.
I recommend it to everyone who likes something important to read this interesting book.

Guess what everyone...Teens like Steinbeck. Thank you FTP (who gave a great review and I am not surprised you liked the book in only "8th grade"). I am 16 years old and have read all of Steinbeck's novels -- with the exception of some non-fiction -- and have enjoyed the richness, the quality, and the profound details of real human beings. Those of you who are stereotyping my generation are probabley reading crap like Grisham and Steel right now. The Pearl is not my favorite Steinbeck book, but it is very good in showing a light theme within the evil of greed. I felt that it was well worth my three hours of reading and was not a waste of time in anyway. If you have never read The Pearl, I would suggest reading Of Mice and Men or The Red Pony, then progress onto The Pearl.

One thing about The Pearl is, is that it proves Steinbeck's understanding for culture and socitey and the human being within it, which is how he earned the Noble Prize. It is a simple allegory that can easily identify with America right now, denoting to the fact that American's are greedy and want praise -- and feel as if they can not act as one in society without it. Norman Mailer follows this philosophy within his novels (The Executioner's Song & Tough Guys Don't Dance) by themes of the following nature. It should be able to teach you a harsh lesson about what can happen if you do not manage yourself mentally and physically when coming of sudden wealth. For those who have read the novel, note how Kino was attacted and encountered a mysterious person whom plotted attempted murder, and even how much the towns people respected him even more after the discovery of the "Pearl of the World." If you are planning to read this novel, pay close attention to the social description of the doctors actions in the first, and I believe third chapter, denoting to the time period when Kino's son was on the brink of death and how the doctor lied and refused to treat them, speaking pompously: "...I am not a veterinarian!" Then observe what happens after the pearl is found.

Sorry for my long-winded triangle of a review...Read the book with respect...you just might like it...And any comments...my e-mail address is on the top and I would Love to hear from you.

Thanks

Happen...

Cup of Gold is important in that it was Steinbeck's first novel. If you look closely you can see the kind of *heart* that would characterize Steinbeck's humanity in later works. His sensitivity, if you will. But that kind of sensitivity is at its best when balanced with Steinbeck's wit and satirical edge. Here, though, in Cup of Gold was a young Steinbeck without the momentum -- nor the boldness -- to balance a sense of humanity with cutting satire, and the novel ultimately sounds too sentimental and limp. In my opinion, Steinbeck really came into his own with Tortilla Flat (1935). Pastures of Gold (1932) and To a God Unknown (1933) were both closer to Cup of Gold in their romantic tendancies. But Tortilla Flat is the first novel where Steinbeck really enjoyed writing a novel, and the result was a comedy. Cup of Gold provides a window into a young writer's mind (Steinbeck published it at 27) -- a writer trying to find his calling -- and ultimately, a writer who would go on the write better novels with maturity and the development of his craft.

I love just about everything Steinbeck wrote. I rated it against his other novels, not just in general. Four stars because Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, etc are 5 stars... This is his only historical novel (I believe). It's an easy read and forshadows his common themes like disalutionment (sp?) or like the U2 song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." It reminded me a lot of his later novel, East of Eden, and the whole "thou mayest" theme. It's not a pirate/adventure story. Yes, Henry Morgan was a pirate, but if you're looking for "ahoy matey, walk the plank," try "Treasure Island" or even "Peter Pan." This book was very enjoyable to read.

Perhaps one of the finest works of fiction ever created by the humans. This is the story of "being human", a tale lived authentically for all eternity, by all humanity: human consciousness smashing its head against the seen and unseen forces that blind our eyes and minds to our eventual fate-the Void.
Our dreams, desires, goals, pains, pleasures, and our vanity-all but sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Blind "genes", groping forth in the darkness, propagating for no purpose...

Read on! Time is short.

To show the background by characters,I can hardly say that it did a nice job.The same thing, I think Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre did much better than that. If the he think using that way make some real-life style. I could just say it is nasty and unbelievable but not real-life.