The Guardian 7 November, 2007
FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF
Here are books and DVDs with a message. There are good gifts for the Festive and New Year period. Some will inform you, some will inspire you, some will shock you. Take your pick from this wide selection of books to read and DVDs to watch.
New stock just arrived:
Brother Bill McKie $17.50 (p&p $2.50)
By Phillip Bonosky
This inspiring book recounts the struggles of British migrant and trade union activist to unionise the Ford auto plant in the US. His long, patient struggle is an example of how to go about the task of union building. It is a book that should be in the hands of every trade union activist.
Eureka and Beyond $12 (p&p $1.50)
This is Monty Miller’s own story taken from his original manuscript. He fought and was wounded at the Eureka Stockade and at 85 years was sentenced to six months hard labour for his leadership in the anti-conscription struggles of 1917. He knew about the power of wealth and property "which writes and places in the Statue books all laws that rule every people…"
These things shall be! $10 (p&p $2.50)
By Edgar Ross
Is the story of the life and times of Bob Ross, a socialist pioneer. It covers the period of the birth of the labour movement in Australia. Bob Ross was a writer, editor, agitator, organizer, propagandist and educator. He was among the founding members of the first socialist leagues in Australia. He was an original Executive member of the ACTU when it was formed in the late 1920s.
Bush’s Secret World $27.50 (P&P $2.50)
By Eric Laurent
Reviewers have said of this book: "In this scrupulously researched book based on a wealth of documents, the current President of the United States comes across as nothing other than a man under the influence" (France Soir) and, "Only Christians have their place in paradise, explained George W to his own mother. If it is populated by people like him, then after reading this book one would rather go to hell (Le Canard Enchainé) and "Bush relies on fanatical ideologues, fundamentalist Christians, shady businessmen and right-wing extremists to a degree that will surprise even the most hardened observer.
Marxism — A Living Science $16.00 (p&p $5)
By Kenneth Cameron
K Cameron is an outstanding American Marxist. He covers the origins of Marxism, the class struggle as the dynamics of history, evolution from farming societies, industrial capitalism, communism, women and society, ideas and art and finally, nature and society. An invaluable book to have in your library and to read.
Reminiscences and Reflections of Marshall of the Soviet Union — G Zhukov>BR>
(In two volumes for the price of one at $10. (p&p $8)
Zhukov’s reminiscences cover his childhood and youth, the imperialist wars of intervention against the young Soviet Union, the Civil war, the routing of the Japanese invasion in the East, and the period of WW II. Under the general command of Joseph Stalin, Zhukov was the main architect of the defeat of the Nazi invaders and the eventual smashing of the Hitlerite armies on the western front. It was one of the greatest military victories in recorded history.
DVDs with a message at $10 incl postage.
The Power of Community (How Cuba beat Peak Oil)
Mountain of Light (Cuban medical brigades abroad)
The Untold Story of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro is Commandante.
An interview with Castro by film director Oliver Stone. The Times gave it four stars. The Esquire said "The most captivating political documentary ever made".
New evidence on September 11 and the truth about the Iraq war.
So you think some terrorists bombed the World Trade Centre. Think again!
Hugo Chavez and the new Latin America
(Interview with Hugo Chavez.)
We are the ILWU (About the American Longshoremen’s Union)
The Motorcycle Diaries (Che’s early journeys in Latin America)
Terrorism made in the US (Posada Carriles)
Wal-Mart (Behind the glitz of this huge department store.)
ENRON
The smartest guys in the room who swindled their customers and shareholders of millions of dollars.
Bowling for Columbine
by Michael Moore (Academy award for best documentary in 2003)
Stealing a Nation
By John Pilger. A shocking crime against the people of the island of Diego Garcia once a paradise in the Indian Ocean, now a US and British military base.
The Take
"Fire the boss" said Argentinean workers as unemployed auto workers walked into their idle factory and faced up to the bosses, the bankers and the capitalist system…
Five Factories
Another story of factories under workers’ control
The story of the Cuban five who volunteered to go to the US to fight the Miami mafia. They were arrested and given long terms of imprisonment in jails scattered across the US.
The Road to Guantanamo
Review: The Road to Guantanamo is the terrifying first-hand account of three British citizens who were held for two years without charges in the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They lived in the British township of Tipton in the Midlands and went to Pakistan for a wedding there. They crossed the border into Afghanistan just as the US began its bombing campaign against that country. They were captured and imprisoned by the "Northern Alliance" and were then handed over to the Americans all the while being savagely mistreated.
The only person ever charged at Guantanamo was David Hicks and only then because of the campaign for his release by many Australians. He made a plea bargain to secure his release. Others are not so lucky and remain in their cages as the new "master race" struts the wire, continually threatening the inmates, humiliating them in the most disgusting way, telling them to "shut up!", "no talking!" while desecrating the Koran.
Is this what Australians have been hoodwinked and lied to, to defend by sending troops to Afghanistan while telling the world that they are on some civilising mission. Is this the new religion of the Howard’s and the Bushes — in reality, barbarism at its worst. See for yourself!
Films by Sergei Eisenstein — the great Soviet film director
Here are eight films on four DVDs. The set of four DVDs is $60 or $20 for an individual DVD.
The films include:
1. October 1917 (The 1917 Great October Socialist Revolution) & The Strike
2. Battleship Potemkin (the mutiny on this Russian battleship triggered the 1905 revolution) &
The General Line
3. Alexander Nevski who led the struggle against invading Swedish armies & Que Viva Mexico!
4. Ivan the Terrible Parts 1 & 2
Order from SPA Books,
74 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills. NSW 2010
Payment by cheque, money order or credit card
giving the name on the card, the card number and the expiry date.