Reviving Upton Sinclair's Dead Hand Series

Sinclair's Dead Hand Series contains many wonderful insights and is often very amusing and educational reading. His point of view as a utopian socialist is going increasingly out of vogue as we conclude the twentieth century. Yet this point of view is valid and important if we are to continue to act as reformers, believing social improvement is possible. Because the series covers so many components of society--religion, education, journalism, and literature--it provides many ideas and reminds us of the power which one idealist can wield. As nihilism continues to be the predominant philosophy in the late twentieth century, we may be wise to look back to a time when the muckraker was predominant in journalism. The Dead Hand Series might be useful reading today for young people who believe there is little hope for solutions to modern problems. Sinclair deserves to be remembered for his tireless and selfless efforts to maintain the values of the country he loved.