ernestolynch
29th August 2003, 00:01
This is the most influential book for socialists in the English-speaking world outside the USA. It has converted more people to socialism and communism in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Canada etc etc than ANY other book.
It is a novel set in the early 1900s in a small town in southern England, about a group of painters and decorators. The author, Robert Tressell, was also a working man, and this was the first published book about the exploitation of capitalism, written by a member of the working class.
It has been reprinted over 20 times in Britain and translated into many languages. However, due to its popularity and appeal, it has been read by far more people than the sales figures suggest. This is because it is passed from person to person, especially in the construction industry. The construction union UCATT in England gives new members a copy.
It has been said that the vast numbers of soldiers, sailors and airmen who read it during WWII caused the huge vote against Churchill's Conservatives and helped the massive Labour victory in 1945, heralding the welfare state and the National Health Service in the UK.
If you have't read this book yet, especially the younger members of CL, do so now.
It is a novel set in the early 1900s in a small town in southern England, about a group of painters and decorators. The author, Robert Tressell, was also a working man, and this was the first published book about the exploitation of capitalism, written by a member of the working class.
It has been reprinted over 20 times in Britain and translated into many languages. However, due to its popularity and appeal, it has been read by far more people than the sales figures suggest. This is because it is passed from person to person, especially in the construction industry. The construction union UCATT in England gives new members a copy.
It has been said that the vast numbers of soldiers, sailors and airmen who read it during WWII caused the huge vote against Churchill's Conservatives and helped the massive Labour victory in 1945, heralding the welfare state and the National Health Service in the UK.
If you have't read this book yet, especially the younger members of CL, do so now.