Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California

by Ruth Wilson Gilmore
Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California cover
Good Books rating 4.08
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
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  • ID: 9814
  • Added: 2026-01-03
  • Updated: 2026-01-03
  • ISBN: 9780520242012
  • Publisher: Univ of California Press
  • Published: 2007-01-08
  • Reviews: 3

Golden Gulag is a groundbreaking exploration of the rapid expansion of California's prison system, transforming the state into the largest prison system in the Western world. The book examines the political and economic factors that drove this growth, including the rise of neoliberal policies and the war on drugs. /n/n Author Ruth Wilson Gilmore provides a comprehensive analysis of the consequences of mass incarceration, highlighting the devastating impact on communities of color and the broader social and economic implications. The book is a powerful critique of the criminal justice system and a call to action for meaningful reform.

Reviews
Reddit - CriticalTheory · u/unknown · 2026-01-03
fantastic 4.50

Gilmore is praised for her theoretical insights and engaging writing style. The book is seen as a valuable lens through which to examine California's history and politics.

In this Reddit discussion, Gilmore is highly regarded for her theoretical insights and engaging writing style. The book is seen as a valuable lens through which to examine California's history and politics, particularly in relation to the prison system. The community appreciates the book's ability to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter. The discussion highlights the book's relevance to those interested in critical theory and social justice.

Quick quotes

    Gilmore is a fantastic theorist and writer, and prisons are a really interesting lens through which to look at California's history - politics.

    The book is seen as a valuable lens through which to examine California's history and politics.

    The community appreciates the book's ability to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter.

The StoryGraph · pdfguy · 2026-01-03
mixed 3.75

The book is compelling and rich in detail, but it seems to lose momentum in the later sections. The analysis is thought-provoking and offers a unique perspective on the prison system in California.

pdfguy found the book to be compelling and rich in detail, particularly in its examination of the prison system in California. However, they noted that the later sections of the book lose some of their initial momentum. Despite this, the analysis remains thought-provoking and offers a unique perspective on the complex issues surrounding incarceration. The book's strengths lie in its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter, making it a valuable resource for those interested in criminal justice and social policy.

Quick quotes

    Compelling and Rich, seems to lose steam in the later sections, not sure if this is intentional.

    The book is compelling and rich in detail, particularly in its examination of the prison system in California.

    The analysis is thought-provoking and offers a unique perspective on the complex issues surrounding incarceration.

jmmoore.org · 2019-07-06
insightful 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the prison system in California, highlighting the political and economic factors behind its expansion. It offers a critical perspective on the use of prisons as a solution to social issues.

This book delves into the significant growth of California's state prison system from 1982 onwards, exploring the grassroots opposition to the increasing reliance on prisons. The author argues that the rise in incarceration rates was not primarily driven by crime but by a complex interplay of economic and political factors. The analysis is thorough and provides a nuanced understanding of the issue, making it a valuable read for those interested in criminal justice and social policy.

Quick quotes

    Golden Gulag seeks to explain the massive increase in the number of people incarcerated in California in the final two decades of the 20th century.

    The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the prison system in California, highlighting the political and economic factors behind its expansion.

    It offers a critical perspective on the use of prisons as a solution to social issues.

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