George W.M. Reynolds (1814–79) was one of the biggest-selling novelists of the Victorian era. He was the author of over 58 novels and short stories and his "penny blood" The Mysteries of London, serialised in weekly numbers between 1844 and 1848, sold over a million copies. A controversial figure in his lifetime, Reynolds's Mysteries, and its follow-up The Mysteries of the Court of London (1849–56), contained tales of crime, vice, and highly sexualised scenes. For this reason Charles Dicke...

A book that revolutionised our understanding of English social history. E. P. Thompson shows how the English working class emerged through the degradations of the industrial revolution to create a culture and political consciousness of enormous vitality.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Brilliant young historian Ben Wilson explores a time when licentious Britain tried to straighten out its moral code, ridding itself of its boisterous pastimes, plain-speaking and drunkenness - raising uncomfortable but fascinating parallels with our own age. Decency and Disorder is about the generation who grew up during the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars, and some of its most exciting figures.

Satirist William Hone is the forgotten hero of the British press. In 1817 he was forced to defend himself against a censorious government, in what amounted to a show trial pitting a self-educated Fleet Street journalist against the Lord Chief Justice and a hand-picked jury. Hone's crime was to ridicule the powers that be. Through Hone's life, Ben Wilson looks at the history of the struggle for free expression against repressive law.

The author's biography is included in this version.The Life of General William Booth by Harold Begbie presents the biography of William Booth, a British Methodist preacher who founded The Salvation Army and became its first General. The Christian movement with a quasi-military structure and government founded in 1865 has spread from London, England to many parts of the world and is known for being one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid.

"Compelling." The Guardian"An insightful and inspiring history." BBC History Magazine"A tantalising revelatory book." The House"Brisk and illuminating." Times Literary Supplement"A damn good read." Morning Star"Wonderful." The ChartistUncontrollable Women is a history of radi...

Aristocratic Vice examines the outrage against—and attempts to end—the four vices associated with the aristocracy in eighteenth-century England: duelling, suicide, adultery, and gambling. Each of the four, it was commonly believed, owed its origin to pride. Many felt the law did not go far enough to punish those perpetrators who were members of the elite. In this exciting new book, Andrew explores each vice’s treatment by the press at the time and shows how a century of public ...

Pearse's skill as an orator is indisputable. His fiery idealism was one of the key motivators that brought the rebels to the GPO in 1916. This collection of his wrting showcase's this skill, but also the complex philosophy that underpinned it. Ranging from his theories of education articulated in 'The Murder Machine' (1912), through his orations on the great Fenian leaders of the past: Wolfe Tone, Emmet and O'Donovan Rossa; to his writings on 'The Separtatist Idea', 'The Spiritual Nation' ...

'The best biography of Swift to date.' Michael Foot, Observer'David Nokes's book is splendid.' Denis Donoghue, London Review of BooksDavid Nokes presents a gripping and authoritative portrait of Swift in his multifarious roles as satirist, politician, churchman and friend. Drawing on the most recent scholarship, he seeks in particular to re-establish a proper balance between Swift's public and private lives.'Some books give the reader an immediate ...

In "Victorian England: Portrait of an Age," G. M. Young crafts a compelling narrative that captures the essence of the Victorian era through its intricate social, cultural, and political tapestry. The book employs a blend of vivid descriptions and analytical rigor, immersing readers in the complexities of a time marked by industrial revolution, imperial ambitions, and profound social change. Young'Äôs keen observations draw on various sources, including literature, public discourse, and pe...

First published in 1981, 'John Ludlow; A Christian Socialist' is an important contribution to the field of History.