Very interesting book. However, I must add that I have no background in Socialism, Socialist thought, practice or politics. Consequently at times I had a hard time following some of the narrative. But...by the end of the book it did not matter. The author periodically reiterates information which helps refresh your memory of past issues brought up in the book. Mr. Winter, the author, apparently wrote this book for students of Socialism and others interested in British policy during WWI. I am among the latter. He covers the period three years before the war, the war years, and a few years after the war. Mr. Winter's interest is presenting how Socialist thought was moving prior to the war, then with the war how did the thought and politics of the Socialist movement change, and in turn how did it affect the British war policy.

I was surprised to learn that in matters of the organization of industries, resource allocation, employment, conscription and many other area Socialist opinion was taken into consideration and did in fact contribute to policy. Of particular interest to the author was the work of G.D.H. Cole, R.H. Tawney and (most particularly) the husband and wife team of Sidney and Beatrice Webb.

I think if you are interested in matters of British policy during the Great War, this book will provide you with some relevant, but not widely publicized, information. It will be worth you time to wade through the info on the evolution of Socialist thought in order to gather an understanding of the overall picture. Just follow the strand of the general direction. Do not get lost in the specific arguments.

I felt it was worth the effort to read it through. ( )