RECOMMENDED READING LIST.

As an additional feature on our website we include below a list of books, both fiction and non-fiction, recommended by SLP members.

Not all the books are written from a Socialist perspective, nor do they necessarily represent the views of the SLP, but all should be informative and thought provoking.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Robert Tressell

“The first great English novel about class war” – Alan Sillitoe.

First published in Britain in 1914 but has been republished many times. Available from Flamingo publishers ISBN 0 586 09036 3.

The Enemy Within – The Secret War Against the Miners – Seumas Milne.

“ The most important expose of contemporary political Britain I have ever read” – John Pilger.

Originally published in 1994. Updated paperback third edition published by Verso in 2004 ISBN 1 84467 508 4. Also available direct from the SLP.

Saddam Hussein: An American Obsession – Andrew and Patrick Cockburn.

Interesting account of US cynicism and double-dealing and the encouragement given to invade Iran and Kuwait.

Verso Books ISBN 10 1859 8442 27.

Virgin Soil Upturned – Mikhail Sholokhov

From the author of Quietly Flows the Don, this novel concerns collectivisation of agriculture in 1930. With great humanity the author depicts the suffering and laughter both of the fighters for progress and their bitter opponents.

Progress Publishers Moscow. 1^st edition 1961.

Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad.

Sometimes the book is a little difficult to grasp but worth the effort as Conrad is one of the best authors of the 20^th Century.

This is a particularly haunting work, exploring the grim realities of imperialism in Africa. Even today we see the results of that imperialist meddling with the slaughter of millions of Africans all in the name of greed and profit.

Originally published Novella 2002.  

The Rape of the Fair Country – Alexander Cordell

A deeply moving novel set in the turbulent times of the Industrial Revolution in 19^th century Wales. It tells the harrowing tale of white slavery. It is a book that should be read to every new generation. Ragged men, women and children as young as three years of age, sweated their brief lives out in appaling conditions labouring in the iron ore mines and furnaces. Beaten and starved into submission, they were owned body and soul by the wealthy mine-owning masters, and held to ransom for a crust of bread. This book is a ‘must’ for anyone who cares deeply about social justice and working class history.

Published by Blorenge Books ISBN 1 872730 15 9.

The Great Hunger – Cecil Woodham – Smith.

This is the factual story of one of the greatest disasters in world history; the Irish potato famine of the 1840’s. One million people died of starvation, while hundreds of thousands more, in desperation, sailed for the New World. The book tells of suffering, insensitivity and bureaucratic stupidity, but also of great courage, endeavour and amazing optimism against all the odds. If you have ever questioned why the Irish bear a grudge against the British government, this book may help you to understand the reasons why.

Published by Old Town Books NY ISBN-D-88029-385-3.

Race, Class & Power in the Alabama Coalfields 1908-21 – Brian Kelly.

A meticulously researched, engaging and convincing study which explores the decisive role of white coal operators in shaping race and labour relations in the Deep South of America.

University of Illinois Press 2001. ISBN 0-252-06933-1.

The People of the Abyss – Jack London

A non-fiction account and first hand study of life in the East End of London in 1902.

Available online at jacklondons.net.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee – Dee Brown

An Indian history of the American West. First published in 1970, this extraordinary book changed the way Americans think about the original inhabitants of their country. Beginning with the Long Walk of the Navajos in 1860 and ending 30 years later with the massacre of Sioux men, women, and children at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.