The Peterloo Massacre

Apr 26, 2025 9:49 AM

Author:The Estate of Joyce Marlow

***The subject of the new major film by Mike Leigh***

Unity of the oppressed can make a difference in politically uncertain times

A peaceful protest turned tragedy; this is the true story of the working class fight for the vote.

On August 16 1819, in St Peter’s Field, Manchester, a large non-violent gathering demanding parliamentary reform turned into a massacre, leaving many dead and hundreds more injured.

This catastrophic event was one of the key moments of the age, a political awakening of the working class, and eventually led to ordinary people gaining suffrage. In this definitive account Joyce Marlow tells the stories of the real people involved and brings to life the atrocity the government attempted to cover up.

The Peterloo Massacre is soon to be the subject of a major film directed by Mike Leigh.

Reviews

‘One of our nation’s defining moments’

—— Stuart Maconie

What I always love about Helen Rappaport’s books is that they appeal to the heart as well as the head. She’s a writer of great compassion.

—— LUCY WORSLEY

A groundbreaking book... [which] prove[s] that, even as the centenary of their deaths by firing squad at Ekaterinburg approaches... there remain fresh angles and, crucially, unused evidence pertaining to the Romanovs.

—— The Daily Telegraph

Highly entertaining... Rappaport introduces us to a colourful array of con men, charlatans and fantasists involved in ideas to free the Romanovs... She is a vivid storyteller

—— Victor Sebestyen , Sunday Times

Gripping... Rappaport has uncovered many missing pieces in the story, from the diplomatic wrangling over the tsar’s fate to a number of "hare-brained" rescue schemes hatched by monarchist sympathisers.

—— The Times

An intriguing work of investigative writing

—— New York Journal of Books

An eye-opening, entertaining and energetically researched story

—— Daily Express

[Rappaport's] finely researched history is a devastating account of the missed and bungled opportunities to save the Romanovs.

—— Daily Mail, Must Read

A shocking story grippingly told.

—— Choice Magazine

An eye opening, entertaining and energetically researched story.

—— Daily Express

Well researched and recounted with excellent humour, Forsyth's alcohol-ridden tale is sure to reduce anyone to a stupor of amazement.

—— William Hartson , Daily Express

This charming book proved so engrossing that while reading it I accidentally drank two bottles of wine without realising.

—— Rob Temple, author of Very British Problems

Everything we ever thought about Christmas is wrong! Great stuff

—— Matthew Parris on 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

Mark Forsyth wears his considerable knowledge lightly. He also writes beautifully

—— David Marsh, on 'The Elements of Eloquence' , Guardian

This year's must-have stocking filler ... the essential addition to the library in the smallest room is Mark Forsyth's The Etymologicon

—— Ian Sansom , Guardian

Mark imparts knowledge about Christmas traditions from the essential to the (very) abstruse in wry and sardonic style. An effortless and enjoyable way to learn more about this fulcrum of our calendar

—— Paul Smiddy, Former Head of pan-European retail research, HSBC, on 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

With his casual elegance and melodious voice, Mark Forsyth has an anachronistic charm totally at odds with the 21st century

—— Sunday Times South Africa on'The Horologicon'

[The Etymologicon is] a perfect bit of stocking filler for the bookish member of the family, or just a cracking all-year-round-read. Highly recommended

—— The Spectator

A treat for the connoisseur who enjoys a robust anecdote from the past with his drink

—— Sumit Chakrabarti , The Telegraph, India

As good as promised - could have been thrice as long

—— Ben Schott, on 'The Elements of Eloquence'

Witty and revelatory. Blooming brilliant

—— Raymond Briggs on 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

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