Power (Fast novel)

{{about||the 1956 novel by Frank M. Robinson|The Power (Robinson novel)|the 2016 novel by Naomi Alderman|The Power (Alderman novel)}}

Power is a 1962 novel by Howard Fast detailing the rise of the fictional Benjamin Holt, leader of the International Miner's Union, in the 1920s and 1930s.

Written from the perspective of a journalist – Alvin Cutter – it follows Ben Holt's life from a number of different perspectives, from meeting his wife to becoming a leading light in the industrial trade union movement.

Reception

Lenny Yoldi of The Arizona Republic wrote: "A piece of American history comes to vibrant life in the pages of Power. In a flowing style, Howard Fast brilliantly tells the story of a man who converts thirst for personal power into a labor crusade."{{cite web |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/119406817|title= Labour Move Rise Told In Novel|last= Yoldi|first= Lenny|date= 28 October 1962|website= The Arizona Republic|publisher= |access-date= 19 March 2025|quote=}} William H. Stauffer of the Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote: "There is quite as much truth as fiction in this pungently told story, and once read it will be remembered."{{cite web |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/829072043|title= Howard Fast Writes of Power|last= Stauffer|first= William H.|date= 30 September 1962|website= Richmond Times-Dispatch|publisher= |access-date= 19 March 2025|quote=}} Robert Hilburn of the Valley Times opined that Fast, while a "natural writer", is "undisciplined and lacking in perspective", and that the novel is "showing what George Orwell showed so much better in Animal Farm."{{cite web |url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/580386747|title= Unionist Corrupted By Power|last= Hilburn|first= Robert|date= 16 November 1962|website= Valley Times|publisher= |access-date= 19 March 2025|quote=}}

References

Category:1962 American novels

Category:Novels by Howard Fast

Category:Historical novels

Category:Doubleday (publisher) books