Don’t you hear the H-bomb’s thunder

A new consciousness and a new left emerged in the 1950s and 1960s among many British young people motivated not least by the threat of nuclear annihilation in the superpower conflict. It took many forms, from the ‘Ban the Bomb’ activities of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to upheavals in the Labour Party youth movement, the New Left clubs and the growth of various Marxist-influenced (and rival) organisations. John Charlton’s book – its title taken from the opening line of a CND song – is based primarily on numerous interviews with participants (of whom he himself was one) –provides a fascinating and detailed picture of these developments in one particular area, the North East of England. It provides many new insights into the early years of CND, poorly covered in other books. Placed in the social, cultural and historical context of the times, John Charlton explores the developments and dilemmas affecting the politically aware left wing youth, their activities and debates and the political veterans who influenced or tried to influence them, among these the notorious Gerry Healy and the dynamic but seriously flawed T Dan Smith.