Description
Book SynopsisAn updated reappraisal of Wordsworth's and Coleridge's radical careers before their emergence as major poets.
Trade ReviewRoe captures the "unity and revolutionary idealism" that was brimming over during the 1790s with a scholarly gift for bringing together evidence drawn from a wide range of sources. His research is so exacting that his study would be enlightening to a political historian as well as a literary critic. It was a momentous period, one that did indeed unite disparate groups for a while, as Wordsworth writes: "How bright a face is worn when joy of one / is joy of tens of millions". Feelings would change, but, as Roe demonstrates, that radical ardour left a hugely significant impact on English poetry. * Maria Taylor, Time Literary Supplement *
Review from previous edition Brings together in one place much scattered information and a few new details from Godwin's papers . . . Roe's research has been strenuous, his attention to detail earnest, and his book will be useful. * E.P. Thompson, London Review of Books *
The London revolutionary circles in which both men moved are brilliantly described and analysed. The roles played by John Thelwall and William Godwin are investigated with a new insight. * Michael Foot, The Guardian *
The quality of Roe's research is without doubt impeccable. New manuscript sources have been discovered . . . the book fills a conspicuous gap. * Joseph Bristow, Times Higher Education Supplement *
A close and sophisticated study . . . Roe's account is outstanding . . . a major contribution to scholarly studies of the period. * J.D. Gutteridge, Notes and Queries *
Table of ContentsA note on texts New Introduction 1: Voices from the Common Grave of Liberty 2: 'Europe was Rejoiced': Responses to Revolution, 1789-1791 3: Pretty Hot in It': Wordsworth and France, 1791-1792 4: 'Mr. Frend's Company': Cambridge, Dissent, and Coleridge 5: 'War is Again Broken Out': Protest and Poetry, 1793-1798 6: 'A Light Bequeathed': Coleridge, Thelwall, Wordsworth, Godwin 7: 'A Sympathy with Power': Imagining Robespierre 8: Inner Emigrants: Kindly Interchange, Rash Disdain Epilogue: Daring to Hope Appendix 1: Wordsworth and Daniel Isaac Eaton's Philanthropist Appendix 2: Wordsworth's Lost Satire Bibliography
