Perhaps the most significant development in the life of both my websites has been the exponential rise in hits. For the first time in its seventeen-year history, the original blog, which began in 2008, reached fifty thousand hits in September.
Two interrelated developments account for the rise. Firstly
and most significantly, the huge radicalisation taking place has produced an
interest in Marxism. Secondly, the move to publicise the websites on Bluesky
has not only led to a significant rise in hits but has also attracted a new audience
for the websites. In the past, a slight rise in hits would have presented no
problem, but this month's increase is substantial, and if it continues, it
would mean I need more writers than just myself. So this is an appeal for guest
articles. The website needs to expand into other areas beyond my personal interests.
Perhaps the most important book I have read and reviewed
over the last month was John Rees’s Fiery Spirits. The book is superbly written
and well researched. The book breaks new ground, and already, Rees is working
on what will probably be the third book in the trilogy. Like his book, The
Leveller Revolution, it needs a second and possibly a third read. It is safe to
say that Rees and I do not share the same political outlook, but his work as a
historian should be respected, and he is taking the study of the English
bourgeois revolution to a new level. I am at a loss to explain, however, why the
main bourgeois media outlets virtually boycotted the book. I look forward to
his latest book.
Meetings
A People’s History of the Anti-Nazi League Date: 06/10/2025
to 06/10/2025 Time: 17:30 to 19:00 Venue: Online- via Zoom - Institute of Historical Research
Roundtable with editors and authors of In Solidarity, Under
Suspicion: The British Far Left from 1956 Date 3 Dec 2025, 17:30 to 3 Dec 2025,
19:00 Venue Online- via Zoom. IHR
Podcasts
Rodney Hilton interviewed by John Hatcher, part of the
Interviews with Historians collection. John Hatcher Series: Interviews with
Historians Run 12 May 2025 https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/videos-podcasts/interviews-historians-rodney-hilton
Interviews with Historians - Christopher Hill-https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/videos-podcasts/interviews-historians-christopher-hill
Interviews with Historians - Eric Hobsbawm-https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/videos-podcasts/interviews-historians-eric-hobsbawm
Interviews with Historians - Lawrence Stone-https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/videos-podcasts/interviews-historians-lawrence-stone
Interviews with Historians - Hugh Trevor-Roper-https://www.history.ac.uk/news-events/videos-podcasts/interviews-historians-hugh-trevor-roper
Recent Book Purchases
Taylor Swift Culture Capital and Critique-Routledge
The Haunted Wood Sam Leith
Eviction Jessica Field, Verso
Martin Keown- On the Edge
Dancing through the Fire-Paul Weller
