In Midcentury, the characters spring to life with rich emotional depth and an expanded realm of choices, transcending the marketplace's confines seen in earlier novels. These vibrant portrayals captivate the reader more than many of Dos Passos's previous creations. As is typical in his major works, a diverse cast of characters is introduced, each depicted through varying literary techniques. The spectrum they represent stretches across American industrial life, from the prosperous businessman Milliron to the hapless Bowman. Furthermore, Dos Passos offers fascinating biographical snapshots of notable American figures: influential generals like Douglas MacArthur and William Dean; politicians such as Senator MacClellan and Congressman Bob La Follette, Jr. (whose father received a compassionate profile in The 42nd Parallel); pioneering minds like Robert Oppenheimer, Jr. and Sigmund Freud; entertainment icons such as Samuel Goldwyn and James Dean; lesser-known financiers like Robert R. Young; and labor stalwarts like John L. Lewis, Walter Reuther, and Hoffa.

Management vs. Labor

The novel's four central storylines split between those entwined in labor disputes and those with ties to management. Milliron and his son-in-law Jenks epitomize management from differing vantage points. Jenks, the ambitious entrepreneur, dreams of breaking Redtop Cabs' stronghold in Duquesne by launching his own taxi service. Unlike Redtop, which thrives on political maneuvers, corruption, and labor protection while providing lackluster service, Jenks aims to offer superior transport services. However, his business aspirations soon attract political resistance, escalating to threats and violence from local unions and organized crime. Lomax, one of Jenks' loyal drivers and a symbol of labor in Dos Passos's narrative, stands by his employer but ultimately pays with his life. This victory in the taxi service battle leaves Jenks grappling with the prospect of merging the companies he had once opposed, contemplating the compromise as a means to end the destructive cab war.

Milliron's tale unfolds with equal intricacy and a broader scope concerning industrial relations. "The Prime Mover" opens with Colonel Milliron as the quintessential embodiment of the American Dream. Rising from modest roots in the Midwest, he climbs to become a pivotal partner of a major industrial leader, gains respect serving in the military, and secures a significant managerial position. Following his mentor's death and his own reassignment to the southern region, a fierce power struggle erupts within the company. This conflict pits Milliron's progressive ideals against the conservative factions favoring safe, predictable profits.

Voices from the Labor Front

Lomax and Blackie Bowman are entwined with the labor narrative. Lomax, a veteran battling internal turmoil, finds redemption as a pivotal figure in unionizing a rubber plant that exploits immigrant workers. His altruistic drive paves the way for workers to safeguard their rights through union representation, with Terry emerging as a leader in this movement.

However, Terry remains unaware of the union's covert dealings with management. After clashing with a union official tied to organized crime and holding company shares, he is dismissed. His plea to the state labor arbitration board is a mere formality as witnesses, gripped by fear, refuse to testify. Disillusioned, Terry departs the labor movement to become a taxi driver, seeking respite from labor politics. Nevertheless, he inadvertently becomes entangled in the violent Duquesne taxicab war, and his allegiance to Jenks’ progressive management ultimately costs him his life.

Bowman, a frail veteran, recounts his upbringing in a Baltimore working-class neighborhood, his adventures as a seaman, and his involvement in various strikes and labor protests. After marrying into a politically active New York family, where his sister-in-law champions leftist causes, Blackie emerges as an ardent believer in workers' revolution. Yet, his labor endeavors repeatedly spiral into...