Hurrah for the Blackshirts!

Although Fascist organizations may have failed to attract the support they achieved elsewhere, this book, rich in anecdotes and extraordinary characters reveals how close Britain came to being a Fascist state in the inter-war years.

Martin Pugh was Professor of Modern British History at Newcastle University until 1999, and Research Professor in History at Liverpool John Moores University from 1999 to 2002. He has written ten books on aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century history and is on the board of BBC History Magazine. He is currently writing a social history of Britain between the wars for Cape and Pimlico.

" 'This scholarly book shows how widespread fascism was before and in tandem with Mosley's New Party, the British Union of Fascists, half the Conservative Party and many royals.' - Philip Howard, The Times. 'Pugh is one of the most well-respected, diligent and honest scholars working in British history today. This book deserves to be read.' - Gerard DeGroot, Scotland on Sunday. 'The link between a distinct wing of Conservatism and the Italian form of fascism is substantiated in this outstandingly revelatory book.' - Edward Pearce, Glasgow Herald. 'Fascism did not just come from the East-End toughs. It also came from women, the countryside and from parts of the Industrial North. Pugh explores these various strands with a keen eye for detail and a lively sense of the absurd.' - Richard Vinen, Independent"