A Very British Revolt
A History of the New Left
A vivid oral history of the British New Left, exploring the passions, conflicts and ideas that transformed post-war political activism—and their unfinished legacy.
Description
‘There was a strange feeling in the air. The allegiance of a whole generation was fraying at the edges.’ A Very British Revolt captures how it felt to be a left-wing activist in the late 1950s and 1960s: the excitement, the anguish, the friendships, the betrayals. Over 100 people have shared their memories and insights, often for the first time. Together, they bring to life a hugely innovative and influential political movement.
The British New Left emerged from the upheavals of 1956, as the Suez crisis and the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian uprising shattered old political certainties. It flourished amid the decline of deference and the search for alternative values that animated the 1960s. Rejecting both Stalinism and mainstream Labour, it pioneered new forms of protest and displayed remarkable intellectual vitality. Activists staged mass sit-downs against nuclear weapons; took to the streets against the Vietnam War; embraced the emerging counterculture; inspired student demonstrations; and helped shape the women’s, gay and black liberation movements.
From the New Left’s inception to the social movements of the 1970s, this is the inside story of a political current that transformed the left—and of a spirit of dissent that still resonates today.
Table of contents
Introduction * Chapter 1: What was the New Left Chapter 2: Who were the New Left Chapter 3: The ‘Secret’ Speech Chapter 4: Reviewing the New Left Chapter 5: The Partisan Chapter 6: Spies for Peace Chapter 7: One, two, many Vietnams Chapter 8: Occupy Chapter 9: The Counterculture Chapter 10: Liberations Chapter 11: People’s Democracy Chapter 12: After the New Left * Notes * Bibliography * Index
Author(s)
Andrew Whitehead is an honorary professor at the University of Nottingham and was for many years an editor of History Workshop Journal. His books include A Devilish Kind of Courage: Anarchists, Aliens and the Siege of Sidney Street (Reaktion, 2024). He was a BBC political correspondent and India correspondent before becoming the Editor of BBC World Service News.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "A Very British Revolt" about?
‘There was a strange feeling in the air. The allegiance of a whole generation was fraying at the edges.’ A Very British Revolt captures how it felt to be a left-wing activist in the late 1950s and 1960s: the excitement, the anguish, the friendships, the betrayals. Over 100 people have shared their memories and insights, often for the first time. Together, they bring to life a hugely innovative and influential political movement.
The British New Left emerged from the upheavals of 1956, as the Suez crisis and the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian uprising shattered old political certainties. It flourished amid the decline of deference and the search for alternative values that animated the 1960s. Rejecting both Stalinism and mainstream Labour, it pioneered new forms of protest and displayed remarkable intellectual vitality. Activists staged mass sit-downs against nuclear weapons; took to the streets against the Vietnam War; embraced the emerging counterculture; inspired student demonstrations; and helped shape the women’s, gay and black liberation movements.
From the New Left’s inception to the social movements of the 1970s, this is the inside story of a political current that transformed the left—and of a spirit of dissent that still resonates today.
Who wrote "A Very British Revolt"?
"A Very British Revolt" was written by Andrew Whitehead.
Andrew Whitehead is an honorary professor at the University of Nottingham and was for many years an editor of History Workshop Journal. His books include A Devilish Kind of Courage: Anarchists, Aliens and the Siege of Sidney Street (Reaktion, 2024). He was a BBC political correspondent and India correspondent before becoming the Editor of BBC World Service News.
What is the Table of Contents for "A Very British Revolt"?
Introduction * Chapter 1: What was the New Left Chapter 2: Who were the New Left Chapter 3: The ‘Secret’ Speech Chapter 4: Reviewing the New Left Chapter 5: The Partisan Chapter 6: Spies for Peace Chapter 7: One, two, many Vietnams Chapter 8: Occupy Chapter 9: The Counterculture Chapter 10: Liberations Chapter 11: People’s Democracy Chapter 12: After the New Left * Notes * Bibliography * Index
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