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This is the gripping story of the Levellers - the radical movement at the heart of the English Revolution.
About the author
John Rees is an historian, broadcaster and campaigner. He is coauthor of A People's History of London and author of The Leveller Revolution and Timelines: A Political History of the Modern World, among other titles. He is a Visiting Research Fellow at Goldsmith's, University of London and a National Officer of the Stop the War Coalition.
Summary
The gripping story of the Levellers, the radical movement at the heart of the English Revolution
Additional text
“A profound and scholarly account of the Levellers—the nonconformist republican radicals who clashed first with the monarch and then with Oliver Cromwell himself. The book combines the military-political history of the English revolution with an account of the social and ideological struggles that produced, out of the backstreets of 17th-century London, one of modernity’s first revolutionary social movements.”
—Paul Mason, Guardian (“Best Books of 2016”)
“Fluent, informed and passionate, [The Leveller Revolution] brings to life the remarkable story of this political group … an excellent study.”
—Michael Braddick, Times Literary Supplement
“Rees likes his subjects, as should anyone who values democracy and social justice. This is not just a readable narrative, explaining the development of the Levellers, but an inspirational romance for the political left, and a timely one. It’s a remarkable story because its actors are remarkable.”
—Malcolm Gaskill, Financial Times
“A fast-paced and tightly focused narrative which puts the Levellers centre stage in the English Revolution; essential reading for all those interested in history and radical politics.”
—Ariel Hessayon, Goldsmiths University of London
“In his impressive new book John Rees sets out to return the Levellers to centre stage … [his] research is splendid, his understanding of the period is admirable … thoroughly entertaining, and thought-provoking.”
—Glasgow Herald
“The Leveller Revolution is of real importance. John Rees’ highly readable account … puts the Levellers at the centre of the revolution, where they deserve to be.”
—Dominic Alexander, Counterfire
“A significant contribution to understanding how important radical ideas were to the creation of modern parliamentary rule.”
—Labour Research
“A scrupulously researched, carefully told narrative, and a work of impressive scholarship.”
—David Horspool, The Spectator
“This book is not a work of political analysis alone. It is also a flesh-and-blood story, with personalities, episodes, dramas, confrontations, heroism and betrayals. In telling it so well, Rees retrieves the struggle of the Levellers from relative shade to the benefit of the revolutionary tradition as a whole.”
—Morning Star
“Rees has written a substantial book that offers a detailed narrative history of the Levellers and their role in the events of the 1640s and 1650s … His archival work is thorough and the results are vivid.”
—Paul Lay, Literary Review
“An absorbing and fluent narrative of the political life of the foremost radical group to emerge during the English Revolution. The book is much needed.”
—Ted Vallance, History Today
