Harold Laski

Harold Laski (1893-1950) was perhaps the best known socialist intellectual of his era, influential in the USA, India and mainland Europe as well as Britain. A controversial figure, he was attacked in the Cold War years for his continued defence of socialist principles. This biography argues that Laski has been misrepresented. It maintains that he dedicated his life to the quest for a just society, and that his thought remains highly relevant for our own times. This first paperback edition includes a new preface assessing the relevance of Laski's legacy today. Some Reviews of the hardback edition: 'In this beautifully written, minutely researched and very thoughtful book, Professor Newman has at last provided Laski with the biography that he so manifestly deserves.' Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History 'Mr Newman's brilliant book is eminently worthy of his subject'. Jewish Chronicle 'Justice has now been done in Michael Newman's excellent, well-researched and eloquent biography. It has the supreme merit of bringing together Laski's roles as theorist and activist'. New Statesman and Society 'a closely argued book which offers an intelligent and spirited defence of Laski'.The Guardian

"Alightly written, readable, and well-documented account which brings its subject vividly to life . . . Newman s account of the life of this martyr to optimism is worth reading. "Political Studies"", Explains Laski s intellectual evolution and the elements of continuity in his political thinking very well indeed. "Economy and Society"", For many of us in the Labor Party, over a period of some 20 or 30 years, Harold Laski was our guide, philosopher, and friend, performing each particular role." "Observer"", In this beautifully written, minutely researched and very thoughtful book, Professor Newman has at last provided Laski with the biography that he so manifestly deserves. "Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History"", Justice has now been done in Michael Newman s excellent, well-researched, and eloquent biography. It has the supreme merit of bringing together Laski s roles as theorist and activist. "New Statesman and Society""

Michael Newman is the Jean Monnet Professor of European integration studies and a professor of politics at the London Metropolitan University. He is the author of "Humanitarian Intervention: Confronting the Contradictions"; "Ralph Miliband and the Politics of the New Left"; and "Socialism: A Very Short Introduction."