In this powerful history of the Great Strike of 1984-85, Robert Gildea interviewed miners and their families, including those in Yorkshire, uncovering stories of survival, solidarity and redemption.  Amid the recent wave of industrial action in the UK, Backbone of the Nation highlights anew the importance of labour organisation and records the triumphs, losses, and resilience of these mining communities. 

At this event, marking the 40^th anniversary of the strike, Robert will be joined by ex-miner Paul Winter, miner’s wife Betty Cook and Orgreave Truth and Justice campaigner Kate Flannery to discuss this epoch defining event in Britain’s social history. The panel discussion will be chaired by Adrian Bingham, Professor of Modern British History at the University of Sheffield.