A Radical History of Britain: Visionaries, Rebels and Revolutionaries: The Men and Women Who Fought for Our Freedoms

by Edward Vallance

From medieval Runnymede to twentieth-century Jarrow, from King Alfred to George Orwell by way of John Lilburne and Mary Wollstonecraft, a rich and colorful thread of radicalism runs through a thousand years of British history. In this fascinating study, Edward Vallance traces a national tendency towards revolution, irreverence, and reform wherever it surfaces and in all its variety. He unveils the British people who fought and died for religious freedom, universal suffrage, justice, and liberty—and shows why now, more than ever, their heroic achievements must be celebrated. Beginning with Magna Carta, Vallance subjects the touchstones of British radicalism to rigorous scrutiny. He evokes the figureheads of radical action, real and mythic—Robin Hood and Captain Swing, Wat Tyler, Ned Ludd, Thomas Paine, and Emmeline Pankhurst—and the popular movements that bore them. Lollards, Levellers, Diggers, Ranters, and Chartists, each has its membership, principles, and objectives revealed.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, English Civil War

656 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2009

Reviews

[Jordan Phizacklea-Cullen]

Familiar examples of popular uprisings are compiled together in this expertly assembled compendium, which offers some fresh analysis and is told with gusto. The author is not afraid to reassess events whose significance is taken for granted, and one leaves not just with admiration for those who have fought and fell before us, but a worthwhile reminder that democracy is something to be constantly fought for.

[Martin Empson]

A disappointing, limited and patchy radical history, that seems to ignore far too much radical history.
Full, critical, review here: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/...

[Jason]

An accessible and well-researched history that covers a lot of ground, from Magna Carta to New Labour, in accessible and easy-to-read prose. Vallance does a good job teasing out the history from the myth-making. If you are interested in the roots of libertarian thinking this is a good read!

[Sian A]

Enjoyable & readable history of radical and left wing politics in Britain, from Alfred the Great up to 2005.

[David Hudson]

Really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot from reading it. Some parts got a little slow and dry, but others were gripping and so it definitely varies. Worth sticking with.

[gaverne Bennett]

There is a rich history to this country that this book highlights...

[James]

A good book that shone a light on a lot of history that I really ought to know.

[Katherine Cowley]

I had always wondered how Britain became a democracy, without having their own version of the French Revolution. Basically, it happened step by step, with steps forward and back, and, over the centuries, more power being given to the people and more representation.

This is a dense, fact-filled book. I'm sure there are more entertaining ones on the same subject, but it was a great book for research.

[John]

An entertaining book written with a good eye for the colourful anecdote and telling quote. It is, however, necessarily selective and this being so the author's sympathies are revealed. The Anti Corn Law League, one of the great radical movements in Britsh history, get barely a mention while the Suffragettes are discussed at tedious length.

[Simon Clare]

Very interesting but a heck of a slog to read cover to cover. It'll be a great reference book now.

[Michael Sterckx]

How individual radicals were relatively unsuccessful in their own time, but how cumulative actions down the years have made us increasingly freer. Still ongoing...

[Sarah]

A three star for me as I found much of the book required more knowledge of the historical periods than I had. Probably a four star otherwise as it was well argued and interesting.

[Alaska]

L3 English major university reading.