Friends of Alice Wheeldon
The Anti-War Activist Accused of Plotting to Kill Lloyd George
2nd Edition
Published on 20. April 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-7453-3575-9 (ISBN)
Description
This play re-enacts the 1917 trial and imprisonment of Alice Wheeldon, the renowned suffragist, for her alleged role in plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister Lloyd George. It is prefaced by an extended essay 'Rebel Networks in the First World War'.
With claustrophobia and anger, the play recounts how Wheeldon's involvement in socialism, suffragism and the anti-war movement did not endear her to the establishment, and in times of growing class antagonism and war how the government needed to create a traitor.
The controversial trial became something of a cause celebre - a show trial at the height of the First World War - based on fabricated evidence from the criminally insane fantasist 'Alex Gordon'. It was a travesty of justice.
First published nearly thirty years ago, this edition points readers to subsequent research into the case and the ongoing campaign to clear the name of Alice Wheeldon.
With claustrophobia and anger, the play recounts how Wheeldon's involvement in socialism, suffragism and the anti-war movement did not endear her to the establishment, and in times of growing class antagonism and war how the government needed to create a traitor.
The controversial trial became something of a cause celebre - a show trial at the height of the First World War - based on fabricated evidence from the criminally insane fantasist 'Alex Gordon'. It was a travesty of justice.
First published nearly thirty years ago, this edition points readers to subsequent research into the case and the ongoing campaign to clear the name of Alice Wheeldon.
Reviews / Votes
'Wonderful, moving and important' -- Adam Hochschild, author of 'To End All Wars: How the First World War Divided Britain' 'The labyrinthine connections of the time between suffragists, shopstewards, anarchists, Marxists, the Independent Labour Party, the Socialist Labour Party and a rich variety of anti-war protestors have never been more brightly illuminated' -- Guardian 'A comprehensive view of the government's attitude to the radical left: it also asks important questions about the role and response of the left to the workings of the state and how we can create alternatives that work' -- Morning StarMore details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
316 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-3575-9 (9780745335759)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Sheila Rowbotham
Friends of Alice Wheeldon
The Anti-War Activist Accused of Plotting to Kill Lloyd George
E-Book
04/2015
2nd Edition
Pluto Press
€21.99
Available for download
Person
Sheila Rowbotham's books have been translated into many languages and her early works are currently being reissued as classic texts of feminism. She is an Honorary Fellow in Social Science at Manchester University. Her books include Hidden from History, Beyond the Fragments, A Century of Women and Threads Through Time.
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Rebel Networks in the First World War
2. Friends of Alice Wheeldon - Playscript
Afterword
Glossary
Notes
Index
Introduction
1. Rebel Networks in the First World War
2. Friends of Alice Wheeldon - Playscript
Afterword
Glossary
Notes
Index