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Rebel Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London's Radical History
A truly radical response to conservative heritage tours and banal day trips, Rebel Footprints brings to life the history of social movements in England’s capital. David Rosenberg transports readers from well-known landmarks to history-making hidden corners, while telling the story of protest and struggle in London from the early nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.
From the suffragettes to the socialists, from the chartists to the trade Rosenberg invites us to step into the footprints of a diverse cast of dedicated fighters for social justice. Individual chapters highlight particular struggles and their participants, from famous faces to lesser-known luminaries. Rosenberg sets London’s radical campaigners against the backdrop of the city’s multi-faceted development. Self-directed walks pair with narratives that seamlessly blend history, politics, and geography, while specially commissioned maps and illustrations immerse the reader in the story of the city.
Whether you’re visiting London for the first time, or born and raised there, Rosenberg invites you to see London as you never have before―the radical center of the English-speaking world.
From the suffragettes to the socialists, from the chartists to the trade Rosenberg invites us to step into the footprints of a diverse cast of dedicated fighters for social justice. Individual chapters highlight particular struggles and their participants, from famous faces to lesser-known luminaries. Rosenberg sets London’s radical campaigners against the backdrop of the city’s multi-faceted development. Self-directed walks pair with narratives that seamlessly blend history, politics, and geography, while specially commissioned maps and illustrations immerse the reader in the story of the city.
Whether you’re visiting London for the first time, or born and raised there, Rosenberg invites you to see London as you never have before―the radical center of the English-speaking world.
307 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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March 14, 2019Well, that was super interesting! I'm trying to improve my knowledge of recent history and something that really fascinated me is social history, particularly when it involves movements some of my family members overlapped with. I saw this on the bookstall at my Quaker meeting and was eyeing it both for myself and for my mum, who is also very interested in all that stuff. But I resisted temptation and didn't buy it -- and then that afternoon, discovered my sister's boyfriend had a copy, which he was happy to lend us. Victory!
I definitely found it a very engaging read. Much lighter than the academic history books I've slogged through in recent years and so less detailed, too, but it was engaging enough for me to read it in the space of a couple of days without feeling like it was hard work. I expect my mum will enjoy it too, particularly as each chapter is accompanied by a walk you can take to see some of the key landmarks of various movements. I'm not a big walker, especially in London, but it's nice to have that geographical context.
I knew nothing about the majority of the movements described in the book, though a few names and details were familiar. (I got excited when the Worker's Dreadnought came up because we've got some kind of family connection that.) Ideally I'd like to follow some of these things up and read more about them, maybe get some different perspectives. I really enjoyed this as a "history from below", but I suspect it's not unbiased, and while my own biases may largely align with Rosenberg's I'd like to try and come at it from some other angles.
Also this has reignited some of my strong opinions and made me want to go and join a union or something, despite being unemployed at present... 🤔
I definitely found it a very engaging read. Much lighter than the academic history books I've slogged through in recent years and so less detailed, too, but it was engaging enough for me to read it in the space of a couple of days without feeling like it was hard work. I expect my mum will enjoy it too, particularly as each chapter is accompanied by a walk you can take to see some of the key landmarks of various movements. I'm not a big walker, especially in London, but it's nice to have that geographical context.
I knew nothing about the majority of the movements described in the book, though a few names and details were familiar. (I got excited when the Worker's Dreadnought came up because we've got some kind of family connection that.) Ideally I'd like to follow some of these things up and read more about them, maybe get some different perspectives. I really enjoyed this as a "history from below", but I suspect it's not unbiased, and while my own biases may largely align with Rosenberg's I'd like to try and come at it from some other angles.
Also this has reignited some of my strong opinions and made me want to go and join a union or something, despite being unemployed at present... 🤔
September 14, 2018
A truly enjoyable read. Rebel Footprints is not only packed with information but is truly inspiring.
As a working class Londoner this book gives me added pride in my heritage. I am more than ready to man the barricades after reading this.
As a working class Londoner this book gives me added pride in my heritage. I am more than ready to man the barricades after reading this.
February 18, 2021
I have never spent more than a few weeks in London, but I want to look for some of the locations described in this book the next time I am there. The last chapter, about the Battle of Cable Street, was particularly good.
August 13, 2025
really enjoyed this, really interesting subject matter and set out really intuitively which can be tricky in these books covering a wide range of topics. speaking as someone not based in London I'm not sure how doable the walks are but maybe other reviewers can vouch for this
November 5, 2019
A good history of London's radical past, told neighborhood by neighborhood. Includes some short walking tours of some of the sites where this history was made.
November 30, 2024
BOOOOO claimed to have 'testimonials of Londoners of every colour and creed', but only the struggles of white working class londoners were mentioned
May 27, 2015
A great accompaniment to strolling round London. Brings meaning to these streets when you realize the, often little recorded, radical history of these areas and the people who lived, worked and struggled in them.
October 15, 2015
Enjoyable way to understand London's "secret" history of radicalism, rebellion and revolt. Some of the sections are a little too name heavy for my liking, but the Cable Street chapter is a real highlight.
to-read-off-my-shelf
April 28, 2015A going away gift from Charlotte, which couldn't be more perfect.
August 29, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised by how intersectional this turned out to be.
September 29, 2015
OMG THIS BOOK IS AMAZING! AAAAHHH! https://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-rev...
June 30, 2018
This was an interesting overview of various insurgent philosophies that have influenced London historically.
The author includes details that help to put the characters and the events in perspective. He also created a step - by - step walk at the end of each segment, that I would love to do, if I lived anywhere close.
The author includes details that help to put the characters and the events in perspective. He also created a step - by - step walk at the end of each segment, that I would love to do, if I lived anywhere close.
October 19, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable read about the 'rebels' of yesteryear.
Intriguing stories of comradeship fighting for pay, living & voting rights.
Recommended.
Intriguing stories of comradeship fighting for pay, living & voting rights.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews