Jimmy Reid Author

Jimmy Reid (1932–2010) was a Scottish trade union leader, political activist, journalist and broadcaster. Born in Govan, Glasgow, he achieved international recognition as a leading figure in the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in of 1971–72. Renowned for his powerful oratory, he was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1971, where his 'rat-race' address was later described by The New York Times as “the greatest speech since the Gettysburg Address.” Reid went on to become a newspaper columnist and a BAFTA-award-winning documentary maker. He remained a prominent voice in political and cultural life until his death in 2010.

Brian McGeachan is a writer, journalist and former policy adviser. A friend and colleague of Jimmy Reid, he was chosen by Reid to help write his autobiography. McGeachan served as a policy adviser to the Scottish Constitutional Convention from 1990 to 1995 and has written for The Guardian, Scotland on Sunday and The Herald. He is the author of The Cardinal (2001) and They Rose Again (2003), and has written several stage plays.