[originally published on Patreon Nov 1, 2022] Today's the first of two episodes on the hardboiled novelist Dashiell Hammett. Today I go through the first half of Hammett's life, including his early life and family history, his time as a Pinkerton operative, and what being a Pinkerton op entailed. I discuss the Mining Wars and tell the story of Frank Little, an IWW organizer. I finish the episode with a discussion of the novel, Red Harvest.  Note: the Hammett episodes are, I believe, the last episodes with annoying sound quality issues, for which I apologize. Songs: There is Power in a Union by Utah Phillips The Ballad of Frank Little by Dusty the Kid