This novel tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young African-American man living in Chicago's South Side during the 1930s. Bigger's life takes a tragic turn when he accidentally kills a young white woman. The incident leads to his arrest and trial, revealing the deep-seated racial prejudices and injustices prevalent in American society at the time. The narrative explores themes of poverty, systemic racism, fear, and the effects of oppression.

This novel exposes the harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities. The protagonist, a young Lithuanian immigrant, works in the meatpacking industry and experiences the extreme poverty, poor working conditions, and lack of social services. The narrative explores the corruption of the American meatpacking industry in the early 20th century and the hardships faced by the working class, leading to significant public outcry that contributed to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act.

"The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the lives of a group of working men in the fictional town of Mugsborough, and their struggle to survive in a society marred by poverty and exploitation. The story primarily focuses on a socialist protagonist who endeavors to enlighten his fellow workers about capitalism's inherent flaws and the necessity for social change, all while battling the dire conditions of his own life. The novel is a critique of capitalism and a call for a socialist revolution.

The book is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the life of Marie Rogers, a woman born to a poor, rural American family at the turn of the 20th century. It explores her struggles with poverty, gender inequality, and political awakening as she moves from the American Midwest to the West Coast and eventually to international locations. The protagonist's journey is marked by her involvement in the labor and feminist movements, her complex relationships with men, and her unyielding quest for personal and social liberation. The narrative delves into themes of class struggle, identity, and the intersection of personal and political realities, offering a raw and poignant look at the challenges faced by women and the working class in the early 1900s.