Bookmarks
Bookmarks, initially named I.S. Books moved to its current premises at 1 Bloomsbury Street, London in 1998.
It initially operated as a mail order and bookstall specialising in socialism, international politics, trade unionism, and the Black and Irish struggles. I.S. Books was founded and managed by Fergus Nicol. It started trading in 1971 and was based at the Cotton Gardens International Socialists office until 1973.
Between 1973 and 1974, the shop adopted the name Bookmarks and moved to new premises at 265 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London. In the 1980s, this location also served as the mailing address for the Radical Bookseller, a magazine catering to the radical book trade.
It is recognised as Britain's largest socialist bookshop and was described by British politician Tony Benn as 'the university for activists.' Over the years, its managers included Simon Hester and Judith Orr.
The bookshop has a stock of 15,000 titles and serves as the bookshop and publisher for the Socialist Workers Party. Bookmarks publishes its own books through 'Bookmark Publications’.
Bookmarks offers a diverse range of books on feminism, revolution, and Marxism, as well as titles on philosophy, history, and politics. It features a children's books section alongside titles with socialist themes like "A is for Activist" and "It’s Okay to be Different."
In August 2018, Bookmarks was attacked by twelve men, one wearing a Donald Trump mask, who vandalised the shop while chanting far-right slogans. The attack prompted widespread support from MPs, writers, and activists around the world.
Despite such challenges, Bookmarks continues to thrive, hosting live events streamed on their YouTube channel and remaining a vital part of the radical book trade. They are members of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers.
Sources:
Bookmarks Wikipedia entry [accessed 13.05.2025]
Booksbirds website [accessed 13.05.2025]
Alison Flood, 'UKIP suspends three members over bookshop attack', The Guardian, 07.08.2018 [online https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/06/socialist-bookshop-support-after-rightwingers-attack-bookmarks, accessed 13.05.2025]
Radical Bookshops Listing, Radical Bookshop History Project (November 2023) [Available online here, accessed 13.05.2025]
