Left Luggage - From Marx to Wilson by C. Northcote Parkinson. C.Northcote Parkinson, if he is known at all today, is remembered for his classic book Parkinsons Law - which ought to be compulsory reading for anyone involved in business, politics or running any organisation.
This is a great book by a great author. Although it was written in 1967, almost all of it remains relevant today. The only real air of nostalgia is the idea that Labour MPs believed in something called "socialism"
It is a swift and entertaining history of socialist thought - and highlights it flaws, failings and limitations. He is particularly effective in criticising Trade Unions, the co-operative movement more for what they don't do than what they do.
Parkinson is slightly less effective in defending Conservatism - you get the feeling he is too nice a person to be other than a paternalistic what used to be called a one nation tory or tory-wet.
One question puzzles, what does the C in his name refers to ? and did he prefer to be called Northcote ?
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