Maxton

by J. Gordon Brown

James Maxton was Britain's most charismatic socialist politician of the inter-war period, seen by many as a potential prime minister. MP for Bridgeton in Glasgow from 1922 till his death in 1946, Maxton was intimately involved in the strikes of Red Clydeside and his career straddled the great events that shaped modern Britain - two wars, the General Strike and Great Depression, the Means Test and Hunger Marches and the rise of the Labour Party. In this biography, Brown depicts one of the great periods in the history of the Labour Movement.

Genres: Biography, Politics

336 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[James Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed biography of one of Scotland’s greatest, and most intellectually consistent socialist leaders. There is a lot of detail in this book, but what comes out loud and clear from it is Maxton’s profound belief in his need to improve the lives of the working class and his refusal to be deflected from following this guiding light. This sees him being excluded from the House of Commons for his willingness to express what he believed, regardless of the etiquette of the Commons. A fine study - albeit often dry - of an admirable politician, who deserves to be more widely celebrated.

[Duncan Maccoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

All dates approximate.

Not Gordon's best work. nor his worst either.

[Chris Purser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good biography of a true socialist,. What happened Gordon Brown?