In Memory of England - A Novelist's View of History

Vansittart, Peter

ISBN 10: 0719557437 / ISBN 13: 9780719557439

Published by John Murray, London, 1998

About this Item

A Fine unmarked copy with near Fine dustjacket which is not price clipped. vi + 298 pages. Loosely included is the Telegraph's obituary of the author (1920-2008). A brilliant historical novelist, anthologist and memoirist, Peter Vansittart can be looked to for a portrait of his country like no other. It starts in a land as much mythical as real, the Albion of Jack the Giant Killer, Arthur and Merlin, the Green Knight, 'stalking the edges of history'. This poetic or ideal England remains present at one level throughout his account of the more conventional heroes and villains, oppressions and advances in this island. 23 Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Seller Inventory # 008579

Bibliographic Details

• Title: In Memory of England - A Novelist's View of History
• Publisher: John Murray, London
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0719557437
• ISBN 13: 9780719557439
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • English History

About this title

Synopsis

This is a description of England by the novelist Peter Vansittart, beginning with the mythical land of Albion, of Jack the Giant Killer, Arthur and Merlin. This idealized view of England informs his account of the more conventional heroes and villains, oppressions and advances in this island.;The author discusses English character traits, and progresses to English personalities such as the British theologian Pelagius, William of Occam, Wycliffe, Wolsey and Elizabeth I. After an a panegyric on the Tudor chimney, a portrait of Shakespeare, and an evocation of that lost art, the masque, the book surveys the period of Merrie England, the Imperial Age and England at war.

Book Description

This is a description of England beginning with the mythical land of Albion, of Jack the Giant Killer, Arthur and Merlin. It progresses to English characters such as Wycliffe, Wolsey, Elizabeth I and Shakespeare, and surveys the period of Merrie England, the Imperial Age and England at war.