
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Radical London in the 1950s
About this book
In September 1960, the central London district of St Pancras was convulsed by rioting. What had begun months before as a peaceful protest about the lack of decent housing spiralled into some of the worst street-fighting ever seen in the capital. The violence shook the nation. All Metropolitan police leave was cancelled, MPs demanded an emergency debate in the House of Commons and a horrified Home Secretary used draconian measures to quell the unrest. The popular image of post-war Britain is one of peace and prosperity, but the disturbances in St Pancras reveal a very different history. This book explains the full story behind the riots as one ordinary community in the metropolis struggled to recover from the devastation of the Blitz and the Second World War. The events were driven by a cast of colourful characters drawn from a remarkable generation forged by war, poverty and the relentless ambition to build a more just society. Radical London in the 1950s demonstrates how many of the issues at the centre of the storm, such as inequality, turmoil in the Labour Party, migration and affordable housing, remain at the centre of our political debates today.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Foreword by Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
- Timeline
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 - A National Disgrace and a National Disaster
- Chapter 2 - The Mysterious Mr Lawrence
- Chapter 3 - The Peoplesâ Republic of St Pancras
- Chapter 4 - War Games
- Chapter 5 - Rents, Rats and Rachman
- Chapter 6 - The Mere Mention of St Pancras
- Chapter 7 - Rent Strikes and Riots
- Chapter 8 - Epilogue
- Chapter 9 - Cast of Characters
- Picture Section