The Future in Our Past by Callum Cant and Matthew Lee

Last updated: 28 June 2026

What the book is about

The Future in Our Past tells the story of the 1926 General Strike on its centenary. It is a compelling, on-the-ground account of how workers brought Britain to a standstill for nine extraordinary days. Callum Cant and Matthew Lee take readers from the London docklands to the South Wales coalfields, and on to the railways and warehouses of middle England.

However, the book does not stop in 1926. Instead, the authors return to those same communities a century later. For example, they meet a Bangladeshi courier involved in wildcat strikes on the Isle of Dogs, and the great-grandson of a Welsh miner facing redundancy at the Port Talbot blast furnaces. As a result, the past and present sit side by side throughout.

Key facts at a glance

• Title: The Future in Our Past: The General Strike, 1926/2026
• Authors: Callum Cant and Matthew Lee
• Publisher: Verso Books
• Published: 23 June 2026 (timed for the centenary)
• Format: Paperback, 160 pages, plus ebook
• ISBN: 9781836742616
• Price: £14.99 RRP paperback, often around £12; low-cost ebook also available

Why it stands out

Firstly, it is short and readable. At 160 pages, it suits anyone who wants the story without an academic doorstop. Secondly, the then-and-now structure gives it real punch, because it treats 1926 as a live question rather than a closed chapter. Finally, it carries weight, since the authors cover strikes and the future of work professionally.

Where to buy The Future in Our Past

You can order the paperback or ebook through the links below. Notably, buying through Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops, which suits a book about collective effort rather nicely.

Buy from Bookshop.org   Buy on Amazon

Authority and sources

For background on the events themselves, the National Archives holds a detailed record of the 1926 strike. For the book itself, including author profiles and the ebook bundle, see the official Verso Books page. Both authors co-edit Notes from Below, and Callum Cant also wrote Riding for Deliveroo, so their reporting on modern work is well established.

FAQs

Is The Future in Our Past a good introduction to the General Strike?

Yes. Because it is short and journalistic, it works well as a first read. Moreover, the present-day reporting makes the history feel immediate rather than distant.

How much does The Future in Our Past cost?

The paperback lists at £14.99, though several retailers discount it to around £12. In addition, a low-cost ebook is available, and Verso often bundles it free with the paperback when you buy direct.

How long is the book?

It runs to about 160 pages, so most readers will finish it in a couple of sittings.

Where can I read our full take?

We featured it as our pick of the month. For the longer write-up, read our Future in Our Past book of the month feature.

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