While I disliked THE COLD MILLIONS before I liked it, simply because I was bored by the first part of it, all in all, I appreciate it and am glad I read it. It is historical fiction about characters fighting for and against unionization, mostly in Washington state, during the early 20th century and the coming awareness of a 17-year-old boy who becomes involved.

Rye and his older brother, Gig, are hobos in 1909, tramping around the country looking for work. When they are in Spokane, Gig sides himself with the unionists while Rye couldn't care less. But when Gig gets in trouble, Rye does care. He thinks help will come from a very rich non-union man. In spite of myself, I enjoyed seeing how and why Rye becomes a union man.

Even though you may not agree that Jess Walter should call many of these characters progressives, you will sympathize with Rye and should even appreciate the necessity of what the unions were trying to do.