David Renton is a British historian and barrister. His other books include Labour’s Antisemitism Crisis: What the Left Got Wrong and How to Learn From It (Routledge 2022), No Free Speech for Fascists: Exploring “No Platform” in History, Law and Politics (Routledge 2021) and Never Again: Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Nazi League 1976–1982 (Routledge 2019).

• 1. Introduction 2. Fathers, Real and Imagined 3. First Steps in Business and Politics 4. Proprietor, Politician, Defendant 5. Company Promoter, Bucket-shop Keeper 6. Sensualist 7. The Gospel of Humanity 8. The Spell of Words 9. Patriot 10. Thief 11. Variety Artist 12. In Retrospect

'Renton writes with the range and forensic eye that has made him such a vital commentator on the political right and its history.'Lawrence Black, Professor of Modern History, University of York, UK'In a refreshing reversal of leftist histories that seek primarily to celebrate, David Renton's study is based on the premise that “we cannot understand the history of English socialism without understanding the people who resisted that form of politics”. He encourages socialists to reflect how they communicate and engage with those they seek to persuade or overcome.'Matthew Worley, Professor of Modern History, University of Reading, UK'Detailed, well-researched and authoritative.'Paul Jackson, Professor in the History of Radicalism & Extremism, University of Northampton, UK

David Renton is a British historian and barrister. His other books include Labour’s Antisemitism Crisis: What the Left Got Wrong and How to Learn From It (Routledge 2022), No Free Speech for Fascists: Exploring “No Platform” in History, Law and Politics (Routledge 2021) and Never Again: Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Nazi League 1976–1982 (Routledge 2019).

• 1. Introduction 2. Fathers, Real and Imagined 3. First Steps in Business and Politics 4. Proprietor, Politician, Defendant 5. Company Promoter, Bucket-shop Keeper 6. Sensualist 7. The Gospel of Humanity 8. The Spell of Words 9. Patriot 10. Thief 11. Variety Artist 12. In Retrospect

'Renton writes with the range and forensic eye that has made him such a vital commentator on the political right and its history.'Lawrence Black, Professor of Modern History, University of York, UK'In a refreshing reversal of leftist histories that seek primarily to celebrate, David Renton's study is based on the premise that “we cannot understand the history of English socialism without understanding the people who resisted that form of politics”. He encourages socialists to reflect how they communicate and engage with those they seek to persuade or overcome.'Matthew Worley, Professor of Modern History, University of Reading, UK'Detailed, well-researched and authoritative.'Paul Jackson, Professor in the History of Radicalism & Extremism, University of Northampton, UK

David Renton is a British historian and barrister. His other books include Labour’s Antisemitism Crisis: What the Left Got Wrong and How to Learn From It (Routledge 2022), No Free Speech for Fascists: Exploring “No Platform” in History, Law and Politics (Routledge 2021) and Never Again: Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Nazi League 1976–1982 (Routledge 2019).

• 1. Introduction 2. Fathers, Real and Imagined 3. First Steps in Business and Politics 4. Proprietor, Politician, Defendant 5. Company Promoter, Bucket-shop Keeper 6. Sensualist 7. The Gospel of Humanity 8. The Spell of Words 9. Patriot 10. Thief 11. Variety Artist 12. In Retrospect

'Renton writes with the range and forensic eye that has made him such a vital commentator on the political right and its history.'Lawrence Black, Professor of Modern History, University of York, UK'In a refreshing reversal of leftist histories that seek primarily to celebrate, David Renton's study is based on the premise that “we cannot understand the history of English socialism without understanding the people who resisted that form of politics”. He encourages socialists to reflect how they communicate and engage with those they seek to persuade or overcome.'Matthew Worley, Professor of Modern History, University of Reading, UK'Detailed, well-researched and authoritative.'Paul Jackson, Professor in the History of Radicalism & Extremism, University of Northampton, UK