The book tests the vision of the early London County Council (LCC) and of its leaders, the London Progressives, against its policies and achievements. It documents struggles to change social and labor conditions, to influence public culture and to hire aspiring young visionaries--both men and women--into white collar jobs. This history has left its mark on the present London political situation--central London government has been abolished and once again many Londoners want to recreate it. Both the achievements and the disillusions fostered in the past still influence the present London crisis. Attitudes shaped by bureacracy and the problems of vested interests still survive.