John Maclean: Hero of Red Clydeside

by Henry Bell

Overview

“I am not here, then, as the accused; I am here as the accuser of capitalism dripping with blood from head to foot.”—John Maclean, Speech from the Dock, 1918
 
Feared by the government, adored by workers, celebrated by Lenin and Trotsky. The head of British Military Intelligence called John Maclean (1879-1923) “the most dangerous man in Britain.”
            This new biography explores the events that shaped the life of a momentous man—from the Great War and the Great Unrest to the Rent Strike and the Russian Revolution. It examines his work as an organizer and educator, his imprisonment and hunger strike, and his rise to the position of Britain’s most famous revolutionary. At a moment when radical politics is drawing renewed attention and support, Maclean’s example of activism and commitment is as timely as ever.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745338392
Publisher:	Pluto Press
Publication date:	12/15/2018
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Henry Bell is a writer from Bristol and the managing editor of Gutter Magazine.
 

Table of Contents

1. Out for Life and All That Life Can Give Us 2. Dispeller of Ignorance 3. The Revolutionary Gospel 4. The Rapids of Revolution 5. Internationalists, First, Last and All the Time 6. The War Within a War 7. Convict 2652 8. We are Going to Live to See the Day 9. Scotland's Bolshevik 10. The Accuser of Capitalism 11. Let's Kill Capitalism this Year 12. One Big Union 13. An Open Letter to Lenin 14. All Hail the Scottish Worker's Republic 15. The John Maclean March

Editorial Reviews

"A fine introduction to Scotland’s most famous revolutionary. It acknowledges the power of the John Maclean legend but gives the facts from which that legend grew . . .  and it reminds us of the tragic price that he and his family paid for his dedication to the cause of Marxist revolution." 

James Robertson

A beautifully structured and brilliantly written biography. . . . Henry Bell’s moving, evocative portrait of the complex man and his times is compelling and timely. It tells not just the story of the radical hero from the red Clyde, but a story of Scotland.” 

Jackie Kay

""'A beautifully structured and brilliantly written biography... Henry Bell's moving, evocative portrait of the complex man and his times is compelling and timely. It tells not just the story of the radical hero from the red Clyde, but a story of Scotland'"" - Jackie Kay, novelist and Makar, Scottish Poet Laureate ""'John Maclean's swing towards the project of socialist independence for Scotland contains detailed lessons for today. Bell's biography tells the story of how a potter's son from the outskirts of Glasgow ended up schooling Lenin on the dynamics of class and nation'"" - Paul Mason, journalist and author ""'A fine introduction to Scotland's most famous revolutionary. It acknowledges the power of the John Maclean legend but gives the facts from which that legend grew... and it reminds us of the tragic price that he and his family paid for his dedication to the cause of Marxist revolution' "" - James Robertson, novelist and poet ""'There have been other biographies of John Maclean, but this clearly written narrative by Henry Bell sets a new standard in its careful balance and judicious conclusions. Maclean emerges from the pages of the book as a more complex figure than that depicted hitherto'"" - Sir Tom Devine, Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh ""'It is always good to see something new published about John Maclean. Since the Glasgow Labour Party retreated from Socialism it has done it's best to forget him... Scotland does not deserve its greatest people' "" - Alasdair Gray, writer and artist

From the Publisher

It is always good to see something new published about John Maclean. Since the Glasgow Labour Party retreated from Socialism it has done it's best to forget him. . . . Scotland does not deserve its greatest people.”

Alasdair Gray

John Maclean's swing towards the project of socialist independence for Scotland contains detailed lessons for today. Bell's biography tells the story of how a potter's son from the outskirts of Glasgow ended up schooling Lenin on the dynamics of class and nation.” 

Paul Mason

There have been other biographies of John Maclean, but this clearly written narrative by Henry Bell sets a new standard in its careful balance and judicious conclusions. Maclean emerges from the pages of the book as a more complex figure than that depicted hitherto.”

Sir Tom Devine