Oh completely. It's only intended as such - he has a whole series of them flagging up important books and historians in various areas of study.
I did enjoy the pinko bingo though
The Making of the English Working Class is one my favourite history books. Deeply problematic, as any history which adheres to a grand narrative is bound to be, but fascinating and beautifully written. It's a wonderfully human book, I think. Thompson did a brilliant job of breathing life into his subjects.