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1wcarter
Cobbett’s England 1968
William Cobbett was born to a very poor farm family about 1763, and after running away from home at an early age self-educated himself to become a copy writer, soldier, journalist and member of parliament where he tried to become a social reformer.
He wrote extensively about British and American politics, but also from time to time wrote about himself. From his writings, an autobiography has been compiled by John Derry that takes us from Cobbett’s birth through all his life adventures, to his meanderings around England in extracts from his book “Rural Rides” in the 1830s.
The book reminds me of Pepys Diaries, but more than a century later, as it describes in details the hardscrabble life and difficulties faced by someone living in the latter part of the 17th. And early 18th. centuries. Although Cobbett’s reminiscences were sometimes written contemporaneously, many were written years, or decades, after the events being described and exaggerations creep in (particularly with regard to his age, which he consistently underestimated).
It is a very interesting and easy read. As most extracts from his writings only last one or two pages it is perfect for reading in bed before sleep, as it can be picked up and put down at any time.
The book has 276 pages and contains eight engravings caricturising Cobbett. There is nothing special about the binding which is quarter dark blue cloth with gilt spine title, and pinkish paper sides printed with the original long title of the book. In its plain grey slipcase it is 23x15cm.
A fascinating first-hand historical insight presented in the standard format for a Folio Society book of the 1960s. Another hidden gem.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed at : http://www.librarything.com/topic/266300
William Cobbett was born to a very poor farm family about 1763, and after running away from home at an early age self-educated himself to become a copy writer, soldier, journalist and member of parliament where he tried to become a social reformer.
He wrote extensively about British and American politics, but also from time to time wrote about himself. From his writings, an autobiography has been compiled by John Derry that takes us from Cobbett’s birth through all his life adventures, to his meanderings around England in extracts from his book “Rural Rides” in the 1830s.
The book reminds me of Pepys Diaries, but more than a century later, as it describes in details the hardscrabble life and difficulties faced by someone living in the latter part of the 17th. And early 18th. centuries. Although Cobbett’s reminiscences were sometimes written contemporaneously, many were written years, or decades, after the events being described and exaggerations creep in (particularly with regard to his age, which he consistently underestimated).
It is a very interesting and easy read. As most extracts from his writings only last one or two pages it is perfect for reading in bed before sleep, as it can be picked up and put down at any time.
The book has 276 pages and contains eight engravings caricturising Cobbett. There is nothing special about the binding which is quarter dark blue cloth with gilt spine title, and pinkish paper sides printed with the original long title of the book. In its plain grey slipcase it is 23x15cm.
A fascinating first-hand historical insight presented in the standard format for a Folio Society book of the 1960s. Another hidden gem.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed at : http://www.librarything.com/topic/266300
