The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

[Nigglenaggle]

Just finished this, and has really changed my views on socialism. I guess we're seeing it from the other side, and Crass was sadly right about 'them wot wont work'. Which is why its more or less failed in this country IMO. But we are still in a better situation than the one described in the story. Changed my view on (employed) people living on benefits and getting some of the things I pay for for free. Anyone else read it recently?

No, but interestingly I heard Jo Brand talking about it recently - apparently it's her favourite book.

I read it ages ago - it's a very good and thought-provoking read

I cant listen to the programme (with Jo Brand) as its only available live, but clearly we have similar tastes as David Copperfield is also a favourite of us both. I didnt think I'd enjoy either of them as much as I did. Although the setting of the book is some time in the past, was surprising/depressing how modern the voices were - the most part of those conversations could have been in a pub or workplace today.

Oh dear. If anything could put me off being an out and out socialist that book would. Didn't finish it, got about halfway through (left the school whose copy it was ). I don't entirely agree with the people who say it's anti-WC but I certainly see where they're coming from....

This is one of my favourite books and is by far DH's favourite.

It rang pretty true for me, why didnt you like it?

My friend has just done a show based on that :-) www.townsendproductions.org.uk/