Ewan Gibbs
@ewangibbs
Historian of work, energy, industry and protest. Author of Coal Country. Now writing An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class. Not getting that much more right wing as I get older.
One reply to this is after looking at the 1945-51 Labour government that it was ever thus of course.
the World Cup final and it’s a world system derby. Argentina’s origins can be traced back to the brutal Spanish conquest of South America and the search for silver. In turn, Spanish-mined gold and silver from the Americas financed European trade with Asia. Who will win?!
Coming late to @hhnnccnnll.bsky.social’s Burnout, which is an impressively thoughtful, expensive and moving exploration of how left-wing movements have coped with defeat. The concept of a historically conscious mournful militancy seems especially relevant to our current context.
Saw the Waverley steamship out on my run in the sun. Some day for a boat trip 🏃♂️ 🌞
Tom Devine's the Scottish Nation was published a year later in 1999. It was recognised as an authoritative account and achieved very high sales. Notably it concentrates on social change and the making of Scotland's mercantile then industrial economy as driving political trends.
The new Museum of Scotland opened on Chambers Street in Edinburgh in 1998, not far from Holyrood where the Parliament found its permanent home soon after. It presents a chronological story of Scotland from prehistoric times and culminates in devolution at the end of the twentieth century.
Forget the Falklands face off, Argentina versus England is actually the decline derby. No other nation comes close to the century of discourse on national failure, economic disappointment or fading political power which has gripped both of these countries. Who will grant their people respite?!
In 1936 both France and Spain brought anti-fascist hope to the world by each electing republican Popular Front governments of the left. Tonight they face off against one another. It’s the barricades of Madrid versus Paris! It’s the CGT versus the CNT! It’s Leon Blum versus Francisco Largo Caballero!
Thanks to everyone who braved the haar to come along to the energy history Forth boat tour earlier today. It was great to share the story of how coal, oil, electricity and skilled human labour have shaped the Firth’s economy along with its culture and politics.
Spain ruled Belgium from 1556-1714, retaining control even after losing its Dutch territories. Who will win in the big Mediterranean - North Sea clash tonight?
Submitted the index and the last corrections for my new book, An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class. It's out in October!
Shedding a wee tear as I add an index entry for 'Central Belt, Scotland' to my book.
The essential reading on the decline of the Brazilian international football team: Marx Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.
Norway vs Brazil offers a clash between two of the great offshore oil drillers. Both nations boast large state-owned oil companies. Statoil (now Equinor) take on Petrobas. Who will win in this battle of the hydrocarbon titans?
‘The enemy shall not pass’ and nor shall they win the penalty shootout. A historic victory for Egypt 🇪🇬
It’s a big knockout energy clash tonight. Australia, one of the world’s biggest coal exporters, will take on Egypt, home of the Suez Canal, a vital global artery for oil tankers.
Out and about around Croy on the trail of Caledonians, Roman conquerors, Christianity and coal.