Manifesto, Being the Book of the Federation of Progressive Societies and Individuals

1934, first edition, edited by C E M Joad, contributors include Olaf Stapledon and Clough Williams-Ellis

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 20.5 × 13.5cm, 320pp (with errata slip at page 21).

From the dustwrapper, "The Federation of Progressive Societies and Individuals was founded in September 1932 with the object of bringing together the various scattered societies at present advocating piecemeal reforms into a single organization standing for a comprehensive social programme. Peace and Socialism, Sex Law and Prison Reform, the abolition of Capital Punishment, the secularization of Education, protection of Civil Liberties, the preservation of the Countryside and the need for town and country planning—all these figure in the programme of the F.P.S.I. They also form the subject of the present book.

Without being in any sense an official statement of policy, the Manifesto may be regarded as the book of the F.P.S.I. Edited by the President, Mr C E M Joad, who contributes a chapter on the Federation's policy and programme, it consists of a series of essays by well-known writers explaining and commending the main proposals of an advanced social and political programme.

These proposals are, it is urged, such as should command the assent of whoever is guided by reason rather than by prejudice, emotion, or superstition in his attitude to public affairs. Mr H G Wells argues in the Introduction for the paramount need for a common policy for left-wing groups throughout the world. This book seeks to provide the basis for such a common policy. It is the "Open Conspirator's" hand-book."

Contributors include: Allan Young, W Arnold-Foster, Francis Meynell, W Olaf Stapledon, Janet Chance, D N Pritt, Clough Williams-Ellis, G M Boumphrey, J C Flugel, and Archibald Robertson.

Condition

The book itself is in good plus condition. There is tanning and foxing to the page edges, and some light speckled foxing to the prelims and in one or two points throughout the book. The dustwrapper is tanned to the spine with quite heavy marking to the fore-edge fold of the front panel. Light wear and tanning to the edges. However, it has not been price-clipped and is now within a protective sleeve.