The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly, 1889 - 1898

by James Connolly, Conor McCabe (Editor)

The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly, 1889-1898 unveils the formative years of one of the 20th century's most influential socialist thinkers and revolutionary leaders. In this groundbreaking collection, editor Conor McCabe brings together Connolly's earliest articles, letters, and speeches, many of which have remained unpublished or inaccessible for over a century. These writings offer a rare glimpse into Connolly's evolving political thought as he navigated the fight for workers' rights, socialism, and Irish independence. Through his sharp critiques of capitalism and imperialism, Connolly laid the intellectual groundwork for the radical movements that would later define his legacy.

This collection not only captures Connolly's intellectual rigor but also his deep personal commitment to the working class and the oppressed. From his early involvement in Scottish socialist circles to his growing leadership in Ireland, Connolly's writings reveal a thinker who was as much a man of action as of theory. His early works show the seeds of what would become his revolutionary strategy-a blend of Marxist analysis, Irish republicanism, and a fierce advocacy for international solidarity. For readers, this volume offers a window into the life of a young rebel whose ideas would ignite movements far beyond his time and place.

With meticulous editing and historical context, this volume is an indispensable resource for scholars of labor history, Marxism, and Irish studies, while also remaining accessible to a broader audience eager to explore the origins of Connolly's revolutionary ideas. The Lost and Early Writings offers both a scholarly analysis of Connolly's early political development and a compelling narrative of a revolutionary mind in the making. This collection is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of Connolly's thought and his enduring influence on global struggles for justice and equality-as well as their relevance to modern day liberation struggles.

Genres: Nonfiction

436 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2024

About the author

James Connolly (Irish: Séamas Ó Conghaile) was an Irish socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of his day. Though proud of his Irish background, he also took a role in Scottish and American politics. He was executed by a British firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of Connolly's early writing, much of it from his time in Edinburgh, that shows the foundation of Connolly's political thought in all its radical glory. As a huge admirer of Connolly, I found this collection fascinating, but it's definitely not an entry point or a high level overview. Folks approaching Connolly for the first time will likely want to check out the earlier compilations of his classic writings first, and then add this to it for the rich clarity it provides.

Connolly's fervent anti-colonial Marxism is as important today as ever before. His strident moral outrage at the horrors of capitalism cut through the clouds of ideology still used to justify liberal imperialism today.

[Seán Mee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in one go while in transit.

A fascinating little collection of oddities from Irelands' most prominent revolutionary.

The quality of writing varies, some of the fiction is fairly weak. That said, my interest in the pieces is carried more by the historical context and significance than in the content specifically.