In “Nine Days in May: The General Strike of 1926,” historian Jonathan Schneer masterfully dissects a defining moment in British history. When 3 million workers downed tools to support locked out miners, the entire nation ground to a halt. Schneer transforms this historical episode into a gripping narrative of Shakespearean proportions, revealing how the best organized working class confronted an unyielding government.
“There may never be another general strike in Britain, but the General Strike of 1926 was one for the ages, illuminating the human condition,” said a reviewer.
Drawing upon previously untapped archival sources, including reports from undercover agents, communist agitators, and volunteer strike breakers, Schneer provides a comprehensive view of the conflict.
