Make sure you catch Rick Blackman discussing Babylon’s Burning on the fantastic Robert Elms show. Robert Elms really is the voice of London and he was around and involved for much of the period covered by the book. The whole show is great but the interview with Rick starts around 1:35 mins in. It’s well worth a listen.

In concert united

Oct. 12, 2021

Camden New Journal reviews Babylon's Burning

Rick Blackman charts the rise of key campaigns that combined music and youth culture with politics, looking at how people have responded to British fascists. He considers the roles of the 1950s Stars Campaign for Interracial Friendship; Rock Against Racism in the 1970s; and more recently Love Music Hate Racism.

He gives a comprehensive overview of the conditions that give rise to racism – and tells the story of a scandal that casts light on the deeply ingrained bigotry within the British establishment in the mid-20th century.

The book is timely as, sadly, those with violent and bigoted views once …

The brother has delivered

Oct. 2, 2021

Richard David of Clash Against the Right delivers his verdict on Babylon's Burning

On August 21st, 2021 it would have been Joe Strummer's 69th birthday. As two 21's clashed and symbolised the middle aged to elderly status of the original RAR generation, it seemed like a perfect time to sit down and absorb this powerful, highly informative history of the British Ant-Fascist/Anti-Racist movement. Captivated by the opening stages of the story, I read it in two unbroken sessions over that weekend, a deeply rewarding experience and one I'd heartily recommend to anybody with a serious interest in the subject matter.

It's a very important book not least for the way in which it …