Newport and Valleys Communist Party

 REVIEWS.

Hopefully as a supporter of this website you may consider letting us know what your reading. It does'nt have to be just politics; fiction, childrens literature, in fact whatever it is your reading/read, let us know your views. To get the ball rolling I have recently read the following.
JAMES CONNOLLY: "a full life" by Donal Nevin. Gill & Macmillan. Dublin. 2005. ISBN 0 7171 3911 5. 840 pages. Illustrated.
The author D. Nevin worked for forty years for the Irish TUC, and was general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. With many previous books on Irish class struggle under his belt, his magnum opus on James Connolly was published in 2005. This indeed is a big book in all senses, although is quite scarce to find (my copy cost £50). You can also order it from your local library.
That said this is an excellent read, if it has one fault, it is that of being a FULL political biography. Every meeting he held, however arcane is covered, this tends to be slightly repetitive at times. The life "a full life" is expertly handled. James Connolly was no saint, an interest in the bottle at times did cause problems. Having said that it is only a minor sin, for perhaps the greatest champion the Irish working class have ever had.
Born in Scotland in 1870, Connolly joined the British Army. It was here that the gulf in class, and the results of imperialism struck this tough but intelligent man. Having left the army returning to his family now relocated to Dublin, he became a full time agitator for the working class. Connolly was an autodidact, whose thoughtful writing on class issues transcended the religious divides of Ireland.
An organiser for The IWW, a national organiser for the Socialist Party of America, (a country he visited on many occasions ). A leader of The Irish T&GWU . Connolly was a socialist to his fingertips. Determined not to partake in the activities of the Irish nationalist movement, which he supported to an extent. Connolly was of the opinion that Irish nationalism was in the final analysis, based on a Catholic Church/State relationship. One not inclusive of all the working class of Ireland.
In the frenetic atmosphere of 1910-14, Connolly was heavily involved in the formation of the non sectarian Irish Citizens Army. In reality a proto Red Army in waiting. Because of its non sectarian nature, its membership was small (compared to the i.r.a). This did not however deter in 1916 the joining of both forces for the Easter Rising.
Connolly was proud of his army of enthusiastic volunteers, having been a former soldier his help in turning them into a fighting force was partially successful. I will not spoil the tragic denoument for those unfamiliar with his life. All I can say that one would have to have a heart of stone not to shed a tear.
This is a wonderful and moving biography of the most admirable man in modern Irish history.
Che Ap Castro.
 
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The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave by Esteban Montejo first published in 1968 is a rivetting read. It details the life of a man who was enslaved in Cuba under the Spanish he escaped from slavery and lived to 103 years of age. He initially broke free from slavery by throwing a rock at an overseer and running into the forest where he lived on his own for many years. When slavery was abolished in Cuba he came out of hiding and lived with the Cuban people. It is interesting to note that he mentions Chinese people and Gypsy travellers in Cuba in the 19th century. Montejo also talks about African culture in Cuba as represented by rituals and cultures.
He later fought in the Cuban war of independence against the colonial Spanish. He details the problems faced by the rebels including banditry, lack of water and summary punishments dished out by some of the rebel leaders against their own people. He also points out that the US ship the Maine was blown up by the Americans and blamed on the Spanish as an excuse for the US to enter the war and make Cuba a colony of theirs. He also writes about the anti woman behaviour of the American troops and how much they were hated by Cubans. This book is worth reading if you are interested in history as told by one of its survivors.
 
David Llywelyn
 

 

 

Must see film - STRIKE by Sergei Eisenstein - Buy it, borrow it, rent it or request it from your local library.

 

BOOK REVIEW BERT RAMELSON 'REVOLUTIONARY COMMUNIST AT WORK'

Some mature readers active during the late sixties /early seventies will remember a period of intense activity;as
trade unionists, labour activists and communists joined forces to defeat"wage restraint" and anti union legislation.
Misguided attempts to right a failing economy by cutting wages and benefits - sounds familiar?. Many will recall the lively well attended meetings addressed by Bert Ramelson the political organiser of the communist party a powerful and effective speaker and a thorn in the side of government and employers. Bert was a colourful character with a history  - earliest memories a Bolshevik sister with a gun in her belt,exile from the Ukraine,boyhood in Canada soldier in Palestine and International Brigader, W.W.2 tank driver, prisoner of the Italian army leading an escape from a POW camp and partisan fighter.

Our resistance proved highly effective.

Cwmbran town centre the scene of an unprecedented march and demo, thousands taking part. Similar events all over Britain resulted in defeat of wavering governments of Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. We now face a much more determined enemy the need for organisation, action and unity stronger than ever. .
 
The authors role, organising meetings and selling the Morning Star, early morning at the factory gates
 
Revolutionary Communist at work, Biography of Bert Ramelson..now on sale
 
Doug Mcleod