BEN CHACKO speaks with Knesset member OFER CASSIF about rising political violence, the prospects for peace and his continuous ‘silencing by suspension’
Left on the Shelf: books for comrades
The nation’s leading second-hand socialist bookseller that has been running strong for 33 years is changing hands and expanding its vision — now is the time to get involved, buy, donate and support, writes ANDREW MURRAY
RARE RED ARTEFACTS: Germinal number 2, 1924, edited by Sylvia Pankhurst, sold by Left on the Shelf
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HENRY FOWLER puts the strike of public-sector workers in New Zealand in the wider context of deteriorating employment conditions throughout the world’s major economies
MAT COWARD looks back at a protest 105 years ago this month, whose reporting by the media bears uncomfortable similarities with demos today
The Tricontinental Institute for Social Research explores the factors that are bringing today’s highly educated but often underemployed young people out onto the streets, from Chile, to Algeria, to Nepal
BRITAIN’S number one socialist second-hand bookseller is moving into new hands, but with the same mission to serve the left.
Left on the Shelf (LOTS) has been run since its inception in 1992 by Dave Cope, who started the business with stock from Central Books, once the Communist Party’s book distribution business.
Today, Cope is finally taking a step back to concentrate on literary endeavours of his own — he wants to research and write on the history of the radical book trade in Britain, of which he has been a distinguished part.
He is handing the business over to new owner — and long-standing customer — Mark Thwaite, a trained librarian and self-described “Liverpudlian leftie,” hailing from the same city as Cope.
Thwaite has worked in several areas of publishing and the book trade and has sold second-hand books as a sideline over many years, so the business is in safe hands.
LOTS has always done most of its business via mail order, and most sales now come via ABE Books online. It has expanded from books to include badges, posters, ceramics, T-shirts, busts, music and any radical item that comes along.
It is now the largest dealer in radical second-hand books, pamphlets and journals in the country. Thwaite has already put LOTS on Instagram, with daily postings of its collectables and rarities.
He now plans to publish regular catalogues, send a newsletter, and expand the website. Lots of new stock has already been added, and Thwaite says there’s much more to come. The first big tranche is a large collection of titles from Verso, Pluto and other left publishers. Several new collections are also coming over the next few months.
But trading is tough. Thwaite faces an immediate large increase in rent and increased costs across the business, so LOTS really needs the support of the book-loving left.
Star readers can help — Thwaite will be looking at the possibility of doing some physical book stalls, eg at trade union conferences and other large events, so contact him if you are interested.
And send LOTS your “wants lists,” offer them any books you can bear to part with and sign up for LOTS’ catalogue and newsletter.
Visits to its base in Kendal can be arranged by appointment, and those lucky enough to have the chance will find themselves in an Aladdin’s Cave of socialist literature, including essential works you never knew existed.
As for Cope, you can help him too. If anyone has information to share on the radical book trade, he can be contacted via LOTS, where he will be “volunteering” for some time.
Visit the online shop at www.leftontheshelfbooks.co.uk.
