The making of the english working class is a work of english social history written by e p thompson a new left historian it was first published in 1963 and revised in 1968 by victor gollancz ltd republished by pelican and became an early open university set book it concentrates on english artisan and working class society in its formative years 1780 to 1832 it was placed 30th in the modern library 100 best nonfiction books of the 20th century. The making of the english working class has doubtless continued to be studied by academics and teachers since those days but ep thompson who was a considerable personal force and a fierce debater died in 1993 and is no longer here to defend his views and i doubt if the subject matter of the book commands the public attention it once did now that the labour movement has fragmented and been largely excluded from the corridors of power. The making of the english working class 1 by r currie and r m hartwell i a real confrontation aity open conflict between scholars is a purgative experience according to the times literary supplement2 purgative perhaps especially for the contestants but also enlightening especially for those who try to assess the evidence used and conclusions established in the confrontation the . The making of the english working class e p thompson e p thompsons monumental study of the making of the english working class and the development of its consciousness during its formative years of 1780 to 1832 1966 edition of ep thompsons the making of the english working class vantage books. Ep thompsons the making of the english working class is a cornerstone of intellectual history and for good reason thompson in great detail challenges the commonly held belief that the industrial revolution resulted in progress that made all lives better