13) MAC-PAP MEMOIR: TIMELY AND FASCINATING

 

"Mac-Pap: Memoir of a Canadian in the Spanish Civil War", by Ronald Liversedge, edited by David Yorke, New Star Books, 2013, ISBN 978-1-55420-071-9. Review by Kimball Cariou

 

            The world is full of unsung working class heros, those who live, work, fight and die in obscurity. Despite their remarkable achievements, most remain known only to a handful of family members, friends, and comrades.

 

            But occasionally, one of these heros takes a well-deserved moment in the sun. This is the case with Ronald Liversedge, a veteran of two outstanding struggles of the 20th century - the On to Ottawa Trek of 1935, and the Spanish Civil War.

 

            Liversedge died in 1974, thirteen years after the publication of On to Ottawa, his memoir of the Relief Camp Workers Union's heroic attempt to bring 1,400 unemployed workers from Vancouver to Ottawa by riding the rails. On to Ottawa remains a classic of working class literature, presenting a vivid, engaging picture of a political fight which changed the history of Canada.

 

            Now, we have retired labour activist David Yorke to thank for the appearance of Liversedge's second book, "Mac-Pap: Memoir of a Canadian in the Spanish Civil War," complete with historic photos, an introduction to the author's life, and over forty pages of invaluable footnotes.

 

            While he was still alive, Ron Liversedge tried and failed to get this book published, reflecting the biases of the publishing industry. The first edition of On to Ottawa was printed in the B.C. office of the Communist Party at the Ford building on East Hastings. But for some unknown reason, the Party declined to print Mac-Pap a decade later.

 

            Several copies of Liversedge's manuscript went to his Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion comrades or ended up in various archives. Fortunately, one was given to Yorke, who was finally able to devote his attention to editing and publishing this lost gem.

 

            Mac-Pap is of course considered "too political" by some reviewers, those who are made uncomfortable by the author's proud revolutionary outlook and his willingness to sacrifice his life for the liberation of working people. But People's Voice readers will certainly appreciate Liversedge's fierce commitment to democracy, freedom and socialism. During an era filled with scoundrels and traitors, his clear, radical voice is a breath of fresh air.

 

            Amid fascinating descriptions of the "premature anti-fascist war" in Spain, Liversedge also includes many profoundly lyrical passages: "I was not sorry to leave Albacete. My last memory of the place is of peasant men in canvas shoes, shoulders swathed in large black woolen scarves, like a woman's shawl, silently moving through narrow, fog-bound streets."

 

            In today's Canada, the gutless Tory hacks who run the country are spending millions of dollars to "celebrate" the First World War. Ron Liversedge knew better, as a veteran of both the so-called "Great War" and the Great Depression. His life experience in those tragedies shines through in his writing, and in his decision to go to Spain to defend the young Spanish republic against Franco's fascists, at the age of nearly 40.

 

            This book should be read by every political activist. It is a timely reminder of what we are all fighting for, and of the courage we must find to defeat our 21st century oppressors.

 

(The above article is from the February 15-28, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)