A People's History of London
John Rees author Lindsey German author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Verso Books
Publishing:30th Jun '26
£14.99
This title is due to be published on 30th June, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
The history of London is the story of its people - its workers, immigrants, pamphleteers, agitators, exiles and revolutionaries
For nearly 2,000 years, London has been a breeding ground for radical ideas, home to thinkers, heretics and rebels. A People's History of London presents fascinating portraits of the heroic idealists who made the city their home. Lindsey German and John Rees bring to life the dissident priest John Wycliff and the Levellers' Civil War struggle. They delve into the travails of the silk weavers, match girls and dockers who crusaded for workers' rights. And they recount the Battle of Cable Street, where East Enders took on Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts. This updated edition recounts the battles of recent years: the Grenfell disaster, the inspiring Palestine movement, and the fight for a city fit for its people, not one hobbled by developers and landlords.
The history of London we have been waiting for, told with elegance and precision. -- Ken Loach
An irrepressible book about an irrepressible community. -- Zadie Smith
Those who continue to uphold London's living traditions of protest will be able to take heart from this fresh and welcome look at the city's history. -- Jerry White * Guardian *
It's the suffragists, silk weavers, militant match girls, Brick Lane anarchists, Tom Paine, William Morris and Karl Marx that make London interesting-then and now the great cauldron of radical ideas and action. -- John Nichols * The Nation *
A timely reminder that there is a very different side to London, every bit as energetic and exciting in its way * Scotsman *
An inspiring history of radical activism, and this chronicle of these heroes who stood shoulder to shoulder is a timely reminder. -- Dan Carrier * Camden New Journal *
A fascinating tale of activism (and sometimes success) by such groups as the disenfranchised, those oppressed because of gender or race, and those whose lives developers have upended....Recommended. * CHOICE *
ISBN: 9781836742579
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 22mm
Weight: 280g
352 pages
New edition