About the Book Cover Art
The cover image derives from "The Waterfront," number 24 of the "San Francisco History" murals painted by artist Anton Refreiger on the walls of the Rincon Center Annex in San Francisco. It features Harry Bridges in the middle organizing for the 1934 strike, with a shape-up on the left, and the martyrs of the strike on the right. Commissioned in the 1940s by the Works Progress Administration of the New Deal's Federal Arts Project, the set of murals evoked considerable controversy, particularly during the Cold War, but are now protected by the National Register of Historic Places. Refreiger was a refugee from Russia, a student of Hans Hoffman, and a professor at Bard College. Read more about these murals here.