Description
Book SynopsisPriestley''s England explores the cultural, literary and political history of twentieth-century Britain through the radical critique offered by one of its most popular writers, J B Priestley. Its wide-ranging themes include ''Englishness'', literary culture and its values, ''Americanisation'' and mass culture.
Trade Review'I have nothing but praise for this book. I agree with almost every word of it, but I like to think that even those who will disagree with it - who may feel it is too generous to Priestley (especially the later, more embittered Priestley), or to interwar mass culture, or to his relationship with his audiences - will appreciate its humanity, its craft, its insight, and its scrupulous- ness.' Peter Mandler, Professor of Cultural History at Cambridge University -- .
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1. ‘A serious writer with a message’
2. Bruddersford and beyond
3. Englands and Englishness
4. This new England
5. Priestley’s war
6. ‘Now we must live up to ourselves’: New Jerusalem and beyond
Bibliography
Index
