Book Review #1: "Co-op: The People's Business"

This is the first in a non-regular series of reviews of books about Co-operation.

I start with a superb book predominantly about the British Consumer Co-operative Movement, entitled Co-op: The People's Business. It begins with the first, unsuccessful movement begun by Dr. William King in Brighton, the formation of the Rochdale Pioneers, and the social conditions that made Co-operation so vital. The book then continues chronologically through the expansion of Co-operative societies, their amalgamation, decline and through to the date of writing; 1994. Information on the Co-op Guilds, the Co-op Party and the Woodcraft Folk is included as part of a look of which activities were open to Co-operators at the height of the Movement. There are also a couple of chapters on the international Co-operative movement, which were later expanded by the author to become a book of its own.

The book is written in a very approachable style, and will not dazzle anyone with complex sociological jargon or analysis. It is predominantly the story of the trials and successes of the Movement written by a sympathiser, and is an excellent introduction to Co-operation.

Tha author, Johnston Birchall is senior lecturer in social policy at Stirling University, and is a well-respected researcher into the Co-operative Movement and Co-operation in general.

Co-op: The People's Business is out of print and difficult to acquire through most bookshops, but it is currently for sale through the Co-op College online bookstore for £14. If anybody would like to borrow my copy, please let me know.