Author: Butterfield, David
Brand: Unicorn
Edition: Illustrated
Format: Illustrated
Number Of Pages: 224
Release Date: 23-04-2020
Details: Product Description There is no journal with a livelier and richer history than The Spectator. As well as being the world’s oldest current affairs magazine, none has been closer to spheres of power and influence in Britain. Since its first appearance in 1828, during the dying days of the Georgian era, The Spectator has been ready to spar – with the Tories and their Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington, with a corrupt political system, and with the lacklustre literary world of the day. Over the subsequent 54 Prime Ministers, The Spectator has not just watched the world go by but has waded into the fray: it has campaigned on consistently liberal lines, fighting for voters’ rights, free trade, the free press and the decriminalisation of homosexuality, while offering open-minded criticism of every modern taboo and orthodoxy. 10,000 Not Out marks the magazine’s 10,000th issue by recounting the turbulent and tortuous tale of its history, of 192 years chock-full of crises and campaigns, of literary flair and barbed wit. Eight chapters chart the evolution of the title – from radical weekly newspaper, to moralising Victorian guardian, to wartime watchdog, to satirical magazine, to High-Tory counsellor, to the irreverent but influential Spectator of the twenty-first century. The book weaves together copious quotations from the magazine’s unparalleled archive, the contemporary press, private letters and staff anecdote. Review ‘In the glutinous consensus of New Britain, The Spectator is a refuge for logic, fun and good writing. It challenges the orthodoxy, whatever that happens to be. It will continue to set the political agenda, and to debunk it.’ ―Boris Johnson ‘The combination of eloquence and irreverence, of influence and independence, of not taking itself seriously, of wearing its learning lightly that The Spectator has represented is like nothing else in public life, let alone journalism. David Butterfield’s absorbing history of The Spectator reveals that, from its very first issues, The Spectator stood for freedom and has done ever since.’ ―Matt Ridley from the Foreword ‘A gem of a book – in the hands of a superb writer. Butterfield’s attention to detail is fabulous, his storytelling magnificent and his playful affection for these often larger than life characters makes them leap off the page. A delight.’ ―Emily Maitlis ‘More than individually surprising discoveries about people and their strange ways, this history presents an intriguing moving picture of life inside Britain’s oldest weekly.’ ―Christopher Howse, The Telegraph ‘A rich and beautifully crafted chronicle, often hilarious and always informative.’ ―AN Wilson, author of Prince Albert: The Man Who Saved the Monarchy ‘The history not just of a single magazine, but of an entire cast of British thought – full of fascinating detail, and often very funny.’ ―Tom Holland ‘The Spectator is one of the great all-rounders of British journalism. For 10,000 issues, it has educated and entertained, thundered and titillated, raised eyebrows and smiles, and always been stimulating. In David Butterfield, the magazine has found a curator who gets to the heart of what makes it so influential and so well loved. This book is a treat to dip into, even if some dips turn out to be long submersions.’ ―Patrick Kidd "A highly readable romp through Spectator history." --Michael White, former Political Editor of The Guardian "More than individually surprising discoveries about people and their strange ways, this history presents an intriguing moving picture of life inside Britain's oldest weekly." --Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph (UK) "A lovingly produced and illustrated tribute. " --Dominic Lawson, former Editor of The Spectator "The Spectator has always had its own mind - and its own life. David Butterfield has written a first-class biography of that life: the highs and lows, the feuds and affairs, the best jokes, the worst decisions - it's a treasure trove. A brilliantly readable histor
EAN: 9781912690817
Languages: English
Binding: Paperback
Item Condition: New