This TV series is based on a book of the same name by Howard Spring published in 1940. It describes the rise of the British socialist movement from the mid 19th century to the 1930s by following the life of its protagonist a studious working class lad who becomes a politician. Some say it was based on the career of Ramsey MacDonald, the first Labour Party prime minister at Westminster, although there are many differences. There was an earlier film adaptation of the book with the same name starring Sir Michael Redgrave.