J.B. McLachlan: A Biography: The Story of a Legendary Labour Leader and the Cape Breton Coal Miners

by David Frank

Agitator, educator, organizer, J.B. McLachlan led the coal miners of Nova Scotia in their struggles for union recognition, united them around ideas of industrial democracy and social reconstruction, and defended their cause in the labour wars of the 1920s. This authoritative biography tells the story of legendary labour leader James Bryson McLachlan, champion of the Cape Breton Coal Miners in the early decades of the twentieth century. Charged with sedition in 1923, McLachlan's case was one of the most notorious political trials ever held in Nova Scotia. By the 1920s and 1930s, McLachlan was known across the country as a spokesman for the radical left in Canada. He helped change the balance of power in industrial society and advanced the struggle for social and economic justice. J.B. A Biography is a rich portrait of a brilliant early twentieth-century Canadian rebel who helped change the balance of power in industrial society and advance the struggle for social and economic justice.

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bry · Rating 5 out of 5]

In its own way, a masterpiece.

[Daniel Macgregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great piece of biographical work. Does a great job of tracing the origins of McLachlan's philosophy and all that came afterwards. Great use of sources, especially oral history. Highly recommend, it is genuinely a fun and interesting read even though it is a 500+ plus page biography.