The Library is very honoured to be hosting the online launch of Ben Harker’s new book ‘The chronology of revolution’, based on a decade of research in over 20 archives including our own, and which focuses on the legacy of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). Ben argues that the CPGB, despite having great influence over British culture, never fully appreciated the importance of civil society to its political strength. Analysing party members’ efforts in fields such as science, journalism, the arts, broadcasting, and education, ‘The chronology of revolution’ offers an alternative, radical history of Britain between 1920 and 1991 that draws out important lessons for the contemporary Left.

Ben Harker is a senior lecturer in 20th century literature at the University of Manchester.

This talk is part of the Library’s Invisible Histories series and will be live-streamed, with login details available via www.wcml.org.uk/events on the day of the talk. It will also be recorded for later viewing on the Library’s YouTube channel.