“Progressives in America 1900-2020: Liberals with Attitude!” by David Wagner is now available for purchase

“Progressives in America 1900–2020: Liberals with Attitude!” by David Wagner is a comprehensive historical examination of the progressive movement in the United States, tracing its evolution across more than a century of political, social, and cultural change. Proudly published by Citi of Books, this is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms.

David Wagner is a professor emeritus of sociology and social work at the University of Southern Main. He is the author of twelve books including the C. Wright Mills award winner, Checkerboard Square: Culture and Resistance in a Homeless Community, the Northeast Popular Culture Award for The New Temperance: The American Obsession with Sin and Vice. He received the Outstanding Book award from Choice, the Library Association journal, for his book Confronting Homelessness. Dr. Wagner now resides in Los Alamitos, California.

The book explores how progressivism emerged in response to industrialization, economic inequality, political corruption, and social injustice, and how it has continuously reshaped itself to address new challenges in American society. By following the movement from the early twentieth century through the modern era, the author presents progressivism not as a static ideology, but as a dynamic and evolving force that has influenced legislation, social reform, and national discourse. The book offers readers a structured and accessible account of how progressive ideas have shaped American democracy over time.

The book begins by examining the origins of progressivism during the early 1900s, a period marked by rapid industrial growth, urbanization, and widespread economic inequality. The author discusses how early progressives sought to curb the power of monopolies, improve labor conditions, and promote government accountability. Key reforms such as antitrust legislation, workers’ rights protections, and women’s suffrage are presented as foundational achievements of the movement. The narrative highlights how progressives believed government intervention was necessary to protect ordinary citizens from corporate excess and political corruption, setting the tone for reform-driven politics in the decades that followed.

As the book moves through the mid-to-late twentieth century and into the twenty-first, it explores how progressivism adapted to new social realities, including civil rights, environmentalism, healthcare reform, and economic justice. The author analyzes the rise of modern progressive thought within political parties, social movements, and grassroots activism, emphasizing how the movement has remained influential despite internal disagreements and external opposition.

“Progressives in America 1900–2020: Liberals with Attitude!” is compelling because it offers readers a long-range perspective on one of the most influential political movements in U.S. history. Rather than focusing on isolated events, the book connects reform efforts across generations, helping readers see patterns, progress, and recurring challenges.