Another England
£22.00
Who are the English? Today, the dominant story told about our national history solely serves the interests of the right. The only people who dare speak of ‘Englishness’ are cheerleaders for isolationism and imperial nostalgia. But there is another story, equally compelling, about who we are: about the English people’s radical inclusivity, their ancient commitment to the natural world, their long struggle to win rights for all. It puts the Chartists and the Levellers in their rightful places alongside Nelson and Churchill. It draws on the medieval writers and Romantic poets who emphasised the sanctity of the environment. And at its heart is England’s ancient multicultural heritage, embodied by the Black and Asian writers the curriculum neglects. Here, Caroline Lucas uses this alternative story to offer a progressive vision of what Englishness is and what it might be.
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Description
‘A visionary book’ Philip Pullman
‘Essential and magnificent’ George Monbiot
‘Deft and wonderfully poetic’ Grace Blakeley
The right have hijacked Englishness. Can it be reclaimed?
With the UK more divided than ever, England has re-emerged as a potent force in our culture and politics. But today the dominant story told about our country serves solely the interests of the right. The only people who dare speak of Englishness are cheerleaders for Brexit, exceptionalism and imperial nostalgia.
Yet there are other stories, equally compelling, about who we are: about the English people’s radical inclusivity, their deep-rooted commitment to the natural world, their long struggle to win rights for all. These stories put the Chartists, the Diggers and the Suffragettes in their rightful place alongside Nelson and Churchill. They draw on the medieval writers and Romantic poets who reflect a more sustainable relationship with the natural world. And they include the diverse voices exploring our shared challenges of identity and equality today.
Here, Caroline Lucas delves into our literary heritage to explore what it can teach us about the most pressing issues of our time: whether the toxic legacy of Empire, the struggle for constitutional reform, or the accelerating climate emergency. And she sketches out an alternative Englishness: one that we can all embrace to build a greener, fairer future.
Additional information
| Weight | 0.499 kg |
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| Dimensions | 24.1 × 16.3 × 2.7 cm |
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