Orwell on Truth: George Orwell - Hardcover

Orwell, George

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1787300528 ISBN 13: 9781787300521

Publisher: Harvill Secker, 2017

Synopsis

A selection of George Orwell's prescient, clear-eyed and stimulating writing on the subjects of truth and lies. With an introduction by Alan Johnson.

'Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two equals four. If that is granted, all else follows.'

This selection of George Orwell’s writing, from both his novels and non-fiction, gathers together his thoughts on the subject of truth. It ranges from discussion of personal honesty and morality, to freedom of speech and political propaganda. Orwell’s unique clarity of thought and illuminating scepticism provide the perfect defence against our post-truth world of fake news and confusion.

'The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.'

Includes an introduction by Alan Johnson and passages from Burmese Days, The Road to Wigan Pier, Coming Up for Air, The Lion and the Unicorn, Animal Farm, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell’s letters, war-time diary, criticism and essays including ‘Fascism and Democracy’, ‘Culture and Democracy’, ‘Looking Back on the Spanish War’, ‘As I Please’, ‘Notes on Nationalism’, ‘The Prevention of Literature’, ‘Politics and the English Language’ and ‘Why I Write’.

About this title

About the Author

George Orwell (1903–1950) is one of England's most famous writers and social commentators. He is the author of the classic political satire Animal Farm and the dystopian masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four. He is also well known for his essays and journalism, particularly his works covering his travels and his time fighting in the Spanish Civil War. His writing is celebrated for its piercing clarity, purpose and wit and his books continue to be bestsellers all over the world.

From the Back Cover

'Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two equals four. If that is granted, all else follows.'

Has any author been more quoted in the news this year than George Orwell?

Whether you have read Nineteen Eighty-Four or not, you'll no doubt be familiar with the concepts of Big Brother, Doublethink and Newspeak. Time and time again, when we talk about authoritarianism, surveillance, propaganda, revisionism or post-truth, it is Orwell's prescient and clear-eyed writing that gives us the context to even begin to make sense of it all. Harvill Secker has a proud (grateful*) history of publishing Orwell, and we're very excited about this stunning, giftable book of George Orwell's thoughts on the subject of truth, including an introduction from former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and these striking quote illustrations designed by Vintage Design.

From the Inside Flap

'Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two equals four. If that is granted, all else follows.'

This selection of George Orwell's writing, from both his novels and non-fiction, gathers together his thoughts on the subject of truth. It ranges from discussion of personal honesty and morality, to freedom of speech and political propaganda. Orwell's unique clarity of thought and illuminating scepticism provide the perfect defence against our post-truth world of fake news and confusion.

'The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.'

Includes an introduction by Alan Johnson and passages from Burmese Days, The Road to Wigan Pier, Coming Up for Air, The Lion and the Unicorn, Animal Farm, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell's letters, war-time diary, criticism and essays including 'Fascism and Democracy', 'Culture and Democracy', 'Looking Back on the Spanish War', 'As I Please', 'Notes on Nationalism', 'The Prevention of Literature', 'Politics and the English Language' and 'Why I Write'.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvill Secker
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1787300528
• ISBN 13: 9781787300521
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224