Harry Leslie Smith (1923–2018)

This is a really important book. The diagnosis of all that is wrong with British society and beyond is spot on. He says what many of the Left have been thinking and some have been saying (but in isolated, disconnected snippets) for more than thirty years. The book pulls it all together to form a lucid summation which identifies the underlying problem as advanced, 21st century capitalism. The outlook presents us with a stark choice: barbarism or change.

Unfortunately, Harry still puts his faith in social democracy rather than democratic socialism. Our society's historically brief flirtation with social democracy shows, as indeed does Harry's book, how frail and temporary the benefits of such an approach can be and how it can so easily be taken over by the sort of self-serving individuals who hijacked the Labour Party in the dying decades of the last century (and who are doing so again right now). Harry Smith's position is reflected in his ambivalent attitude to trade unionism. In many places in the book he extols the virtues of, and necessity for, working people protecting their livelihoods through the collective pursuit of their common interests. Yet when they do start to develop some strength, as in the 1970s, he withdraws his support and seems to present the labour movement as a threat. That this occurs even in the opening pages makes me wonder if this was an editorial tactic to gain the interest of as wide a readership as possible for the book.

Harry's specific policy recommendations for a better society, presented towards the end of the book, are disappointing in their scope but are, I suppose, in line with his social democracy. They will not resolve the fundamental problems the rest of this book does so well to warn us of. I would urge people to read this book, though, for the way in which the author offers a clear, unsparing analysis of our broken society. The fact that he does so while weaving in reflections of his own long and constructive life in a moving, but never sentimental, fashion makes it an exceptionally good read, too. Thanks, Harry.… (más)

Harry's Last Stand is part autobiography, part call to action for social democrats. Harry, who passed away just last month (November 2018) was born a few years after the Great War, suffered in poverty during the Great Depression, and served with the RAF during World War II.

He then was able to raise a family in relative luxury due to the welfare state implemented in Britain and other western countries which provided all citizens health care through the National Health Service, state funded education and housing for those in need.

The main message of this book, though, is that the advances that the welfare state afforded its citizens are being lost through the austere policies of governments in the past few decades. Harry's criticism of the politicians who led this attack on the gains made in the post war period are biting. He sees through their admonitions that such changes were necessary, calling it out for what it is, those with power and money turning back the clock to a period when their money bought them power.

This is a book that every social democrat should read. It takes the reader through one person's experience of dire poverty through a period when everyone's needs were being met, and back into a period when those most disadvantaged are again being left by the wayside by our governments who once looked after them.… (más)

This book was a goodreads.com first read contest win.

While reading memoirs is not really my thing. I really did like this book. The author give's insight to something a younger person does not know anything about. Just thinking that my parents and/or grandparents had to go though something like this makes me love and respect them more.

The author talks about how he lived through a depression and WWII. One or the other is important in its self but to go through both is something amazing. There are so few people willing to talk let alone write a book about events and happens during this tragic time. The author portrays the events like they happened yesterday.

While I enjoyed this book someone else might not like it. Please remember that the events in this book are events that actually happened and not just something that the author made up. This is a good read for the current generation to help them understand what grandparents and even great grandparents suffered and went through with out cellphones, internet and sometimes even the basic items to get through everyday life.

the bunnies and I give this book 4-Carrots.… (más)

This book was a goodreads.com first read contest win.

While reading memoirs is not really my thing. I really did like this book. The author give's insight to something a younger person does not know anything about. Just thinking that my parents and/or grandparents had to go though something like this makes me love and respect them more.

The author talks about how he lived through a depression and WWII. One or the other is important in its self but to go through both is something amazing. There are so few people willing to talk let alone write a book about events and happens during this tragic time. The author portrays the events like they happened yesterday.

While I enjoyed this book someone else might not like it. Please remember that the events in this book are events that actually happened and not just something that the author made up. This is a good read for the current generation to help them understand what grandparents and even great grandparents suffered and went through with out cellphones, internet and sometimes even the basic items to get through everyday life.… (más)