The Party

The Socialist Workers Party 1960-1988 Volume 1: The Sixties

Barry Sheppard was a member of the US Socialist Workers Party for 28 years, and a central leader for most of that time. This is the first of two volumes recounting his life in the party. It is a case study of the inspiration and difficulties involved in building the nucleus of a revolutionary socialist party.

This book covers the years from 1960 to 1973, the period of radicalisation known as “The Sixties”. Walking picket lines for Black civil rights, helping to organise the anti-Vietnam War movement, interviewing Malcolm X, meeting with US soldiers in Vietnam, defending the Cuban revolution, collaborating with socialists worldwide including in Australia, India, France and Japan — Barry Sheppard has lived a life enriched by contact with and involvement in popular struggles around the world.