English Journey Book

75 years on from the publication of this classic Priestley travelogue, its text has particular resonance in these modern times. In 1934, JB Priestley published an account of his journey through England from Southampton to the Black Country, to the North East and Newcastle, to Norwich and home. In capturing and describing an English landscape and people hitherto unseen in literature of its kind, he influenced the thinking and attitudes of an entire generation and helped formulate a public consensus for change that led to the formation of the welfare state. Prophetic, profound, humorous and as relevant today as it was 75 years ago, "English Journey" expresses Priestley's deep love of his native country and teaches us much about the human condition and the nature of Englishness. This fully illustrated special anniversary edition of one of Priestley's most enduring and widely-read works comes with a first word from Nina Bawden, forewords by Tom Priestley and Roy Hattersley; an exploration of the book's social, political and literary legacy; and personal contributions from Margaret Drabble, Alan Plater, William Woodruff, Dame Beryl Bainbridge, Lemn Sissay and Professor John Baxendale.Read More