• Introduction: the progress of a moderate man W. G. Spence; 1. The knights of the blade, 1886–9; 2. Looking for justice, 1890–1; 3. The hustle for jobs, 1892–4; 4. Grinding in the iron heel, 1895–1901; 5. The giant refreshed, 1902–14; 6. One big union, 1914–20; 7. Ourselves alone, 1920–9; 8. A union that battles, 1930–9; 9. A wonderful machine, 1940–9; 10. Anxious to see the light, 1950–9; 11. The meaning of mateship, 1956–9; 12. Making the truth hurt, 1960–9; 13. Too good for the lot of you, 1970–9; 14. Out of the past, 1980–94; Conclusion.

' … an honest well researched book which fills a large gap in the historiography of Australian labour.' Labour History Review

• Introduction: the progress of a moderate man W. G. Spence; 1. The knights of the blade, 1886–9; 2. Looking for justice, 1890–1; 3. The hustle for jobs, 1892–4; 4. Grinding in the iron heel, 1895–1901; 5. The giant refreshed, 1902–14; 6. One big union, 1914–20; 7. Ourselves alone, 1920–9; 8. A union that battles, 1930–9; 9. A wonderful machine, 1940–9; 10. Anxious to see the light, 1950–9; 11. The meaning of mateship, 1956–9; 12. Making the truth hurt, 1960–9; 13. Too good for the lot of you, 1970–9; 14. Out of the past, 1980–94; Conclusion.

' … an honest well researched book which fills a large gap in the historiography of Australian labour.' Labour History Review

• Introduction: the progress of a moderate man W. G. Spence; 1. The knights of the blade, 1886–9; 2. Looking for justice, 1890–1; 3. The hustle for jobs, 1892–4; 4. Grinding in the iron heel, 1895–1901; 5. The giant refreshed, 1902–14; 6. One big union, 1914–20; 7. Ourselves alone, 1920–9; 8. A union that battles, 1930–9; 9. A wonderful machine, 1940–9; 10. Anxious to see the light, 1950–9; 11. The meaning of mateship, 1956–9; 12. Making the truth hurt, 1960–9; 13. Too good for the lot of you, 1970–9; 14. Out of the past, 1980–94; Conclusion.

' … an honest well researched book which fills a large gap in the historiography of Australian labour.' Labour History Review