'HISTORY is bunk'! exclaimed Henry Ford, but he was wrong. Unless we understand our past, we can't possibly understand the present.
Throughout the centuries men and women have laid down their lives, been imprisoned, tortured and deported so that we could enjoy our freedoms of today.
Edward Vallance's new book, A Radical History of Britain, is an attempt to explain the signifi
cance of the radical struggle which has run through a thousand years of British history.
From the Magna Carta to the election of a Labour Government in 1945, we hear of the Peasants' revolt, Tolpuddle Martyrs, Suffragettes and the fight against Fascism in the 1930s.
The book features great writers such as Tom Paine (Rights of Man) and the poet Shelley (Mask of Anarchy).
The Spen Valley is also included in this book. In 1812, 150 Luddites attempted an attack on Rawfolds Mill, but were met with resistance and 14 Luddites were executed in York.
In 1838 the Chartists organised a huge rally of 250,000 people on Hartshead Moor, they were campaigning for a six point charter which included votes for all men, later the Suffragettes would take up the votes for women.
The book emphasises the many ways in which Radical Movements have succeeded. The book also acknowledges failures too. Today's campaigns are centred around environmental issues and the stop the war coalition which seeks to bring the troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq. So why do we do it?
'If you don't roll the dice, you'll never get a six', so spoke Eric Cantona in Looking for Eric, a film directed by the radical Ken Loach. Quite right Eric!
JOHN APPLEYARD
Firthcliffe Parade
LIVERSEDGE
