The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes Jonathan Rose

Now in its second edition, this landmark book provides an intellectual history of the British working classes from the preindustrial era to the twentieth century. Drawing on workers' memoirs, social surveys, library registers, and more, Jonathan Rose discovers which books people read, how they educated themselves, and what they knew. A new preface uncovers the author's journey into labour history, and its rewarding link to intellectual history.

Jonathan Rose is the founder and past president of the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading and Publishing and coeditor of the journal Book History.

"'Rose's book... has the great virtues of clarity, wit and pungent opinion... it deserves its place alongside Richard Hoggart and Martin Weiner - alongside the writers who have yielded important new insights into our cultural ancestry and who shed light on ourselves.' Ian Jack, Daily Telegraph 'It is an astonishing book.' Ian Sansom, Guardian 'This pioneering work provides the basis, not only for further historical research, but also for examining many of the contemporary educational and cultural issues which Rose addresses.' Alan Morrison, History Today 'Rose's account represents a historical triumph... fascinatingly and passionately told.' A. C. Grayling, Independent on Sunday 'A superb book... I found the experience of immersion in it to be lastingly moving - like reading the poetry of John Clare, say, or Thomas Gray.' Christopher Hitchens, London Times 'This is an incomparable book: scholarly to a scruple; majestic in its 100-year reach; ardent in its reaffirmation of faith and what good books, splendid music and fine art may do to turn a people's history into a long revolution on behalf of liberty, equality and truth.' Fred Inglis, Saturday Independent 'Rich and heartening... This book is vast in scope and absorbing in every detail. As you read it, the air fills with the voices of the long unheard.' John Carey, Sunday Times 'A magnificent book... a work of truly human imagination... deeply inspiring' Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph"