Synopses & Reviews
Widely acclaimed when first published, this lively social history of Hogarth's England went into a second edition with a new preface and updated notes and guide to further reading. 'This panorama of eighteenth-century English life ... Methodists and melancholia, village cricketers versified to glory and homosexuals pilloried to death, he has an eye and a word for everything in the pullulating scene.' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Social history is ever flourishing, but the number of really original contributions is relatively small. Mr. Jarrett's book is one of this number; he is an historian of established reputation in general history who sets out to describe the eighteenth-century scene from his own examination of original sources.' ECONOMIST 'Jarrett's comprehensive learning, his graceful style, and his instinct for the telling detail make this an excellent book to dip into, to read in installments and to keep for reference.' NEW YORKER 'Jarrett digs deep into the diaries, letters, memoirs of the period, gives anecdote and incident as a counterpoint to the illustrations, examines the age's attitude toward children and education, the role of women, marriage, pleasures, politics, life and death ... A brilliant study.' LOS ANGELES TIMES
Review
"Using Hogarth and his engravings as a springboard, Mr. Jarrett examines many aspects of mid-18th century English life, often with surprising results. Not only does he look into politics, but he delves into many facets of daily life, including both the dolorous and the joyous. It is an extremely well written series of essays and it has been produced with much flair and style by the publisher." Reviewed by Daniel Weiss, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Synopsis
Widely acclaimed when first published, this lively social history of Hogarth's England is now reissued in paperbound with a new preface and updated bibliography and notes.