Considered to be a Socialist book, it was written over 100 years ago but could so easily be set in many towns across the country today.
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists written by Robert Tressell, the pen name of Irish writer Robert Croker (the surname Tressell was used in reference to equipment used by the workers in the book) who died in 1911, 3 year before the book was published .
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Still in print, I bought a copy last year when I was at Tolpuddle.
It’s a book that every politician should be made to read and perhaps they will recognise their privileged background and position and realise that their lifestyle is not the norm.
I can say without hesitation that book more than any other book changed my life. I remember so clearly a young man that used to stock up the kitchen in my place of work in the 1980s, handed me his beat up copy and told me to keep it. He was the son of a trade unionist. It is still on my bookshelf.
Unfortunately there are too many people on here that would not appreciate it.
Your comment made me snigger out loud!
I think the vast majority on here wouldn’t appreciate the book at all, too busy thinking Great Britain is still Great and can survive all by it’s little ol’ self.
I have read it, appreciated it, saw both sides of the story and still think that Britain is better off on it’s little own.
Oh my goodness - I just looked down the list of this particular thread and I posted exactly the same, that the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists changed my life. I’d completely forgotten I’d posted back in 2013. So even after 3 years the book still has an impact.
Apologies Longdogs - didn’t mean to offend with earlier comment
No you didn’t at all. not sure what happened though. 
It was a book that my father said I should read and remember, he was an active Trade Unionist and put others first at times to his own detriment. But he made a great impression on me and I followed in his footsteps in regards to becoming an active Trade Unionist and like him at times it was also to my own detriment, however I always slept easy and was proud to have helped and served others and believe that in my own small way contributed to improving working conditions.