1921 History of British Socialism, Vol. 2

This is Volume 2 of M. Beer’s two-volume A HISTORY OF BRITISH SOCIALISM, published in 1921 by Harcourt, Brace and Howe, New York.

In his Preface, the author notes that the set was nearly completed in the autumn of 1914, but events of World War I prevented its completion and publication. Volume I was published in 1919, with Volume II following in this edition.

Chapters in this Volume cover the Growth of Chartism; Political Organization of the Masses; Chartist Mobilization; the General Convention; Chartist Revolt and the National Conscience; Reorganization and Electoral Policy; the Culmination of Chartism; the Final Flicker and Extinction; Moral Influence of Chartism; Modern Socialism (1955-1920); Main Currents of the Period; Internationalism and Liberal Labor; Revival of Socialism; Socialist Organizations; the Fabian Society; Independent Labor Politics; Formation of the Labor Party; Problems of the Labor Party, The Social Revolutionary Ferment; Labor in Politics; Reorganizations of the Socialist Parties; Reorganization of the Labor Party.

The writing is interesting to read – and filled with detail and description that could only come from one who lived in the world about which he was writing!

Condition of the book is only Good-, however, and it is ex lib with the usual library markings. The covers show heavy edge/corner and spine end wear. The covers and spine are sun-faded. Inside pages, however, show only slight yellowing from age and have no other apparent defects.

Maybe you have Volume I and want to complete your set … or maybe you want to taste this section of British history before you search further. In any case, it’s good reading! (5166)

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace and Howe
ISBN: none  

Economics of Socialism, British Socialist
Written by H. M. Hyndman, chairman of the British Socialist Party, THE ECONOMICS OF SOCIALISM was published in 1921 by Small, Maynard & Co., Boston.

Noting that many of the ‘uninformed pretenders’ who dared to decry Marx without understanding his true genius were also unwilling to discuss the merits/shortcomings of his ideas, Hyndman designed this book to simplify the main point of Marx’s teaching.

The 286-page hardbound book is in Very Good condition, although it is ex lib with the usual library markings. There is slight wear to the cover corners and spine ends; inside pages show no apparent defects. (5705)

Publisher: Small, Maynard & Co.
ISBN: none  

1922 Analysis of Socialism, Eucken

Affirmation and examination of the Socialist ideal are the main topics in Socialism: An Analysis, written by Rudolph Eucken, translated by Joseph McCabe and published in this difficult to find 1922 edition by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York.

In his Preface, Eucken writes: As a thinking being man does not exhaust his power in the situation of the moment, the passing hour. To give point to his efforts, he needs to direct his gaze to a higher order of life and a larger happiness. It is hope that gilds for him the dreariness of life, and lends it some joy and splendour. That is true, in the first place, of the individual, but it holds also for the race; for the race itself cannot prosper unless it seeks the task in life as a whole, is conscious of possibilities that are full of promise, and tries its strength upon obstacles. The race receives its fate from no alien power, but earns it by its own resolution and will.

Viewing then the history of the problem; the foundation, movements and structures of the socialist ideal; life as a whole; and the socialist ideal as it relates to unity and harmony of life, the idealism itself, socialist conception of history, limits of socialist equality, problem of socialization and criticism of economism, he puts forward his ideas of how ‘the present strain developed.’ It’s fascinating reading and filled with information of interest to social scientists, students and collectors of socialist materials.

Condition of this 188-page hardbound book is Good+, despite being ex lib with the usual library markings. Covers have faded on the edges and show some edge/corner and spine end wear. Inside pages show no apparent defects. The front hinge is broken and several front pages are slightly loosened from the binding. All pages are complete and readable, though, and overall it’s a nice old volume! (4140)
Publisher: Charles Scribner’s Sons
ISBN: none  

1916 Socialist’s Views of America
AMERICA AND THE NEW EPOCH was written by Charles P. Steinmetz, who identifies himself in the book’s introduction as a socialist who took an active part in the 10 years’ political war of the German social democracy against Bismarck, escaped to Switzerland and after continuing his studies there, came to America, where he still was a dues-paying member of the Socialist party organization. He succeeded professionally in engineering and 'the only criticism which I can make is that I would far more enjoy my advantages if I knew that everybody else could enjoy the same.'

Here he discusses what he calls 'conclusions drawn from the historical facts' concerning eras in the world’s history, the French Revolution, the individualistic era, America in the past and in the individualistic era, public and private corporations, democracy and monarchy, evolution of industrial government and inhibitory power, the American nation and the future corporation. It’s fascinating reading!

Published in 1916 (apparently a 1st Ed.) by Harper & Brothers, New York. Hardbound. 229 pages. Ex lib with usual library markings. Good+ condition with very minor corner and spine end wear to covers. Front hinge is broken; inside pages show some yellowing, and title page is chipped at top corner. Still, well worth reading and very difficult to find! (2055)
Publisher: Harper & Brothers
ISBN: None