'A visionary book' Philip Pullman'Essential and magnificent' George Monbiot'Deft and wonderfully poetic' Grace BlakeleyThe right have hijacked Englishness. Can it be reclaimed?With the UK more divided than ever, England has re-emerged as a potent force in our culture and politics. But today the dominant story told about our country serves solely the interests of the right.

The only people who dare speak of Englishness are cheerleaders for Brexit, exceptionalism and imperial nostalgia. Yet there are other stories, equally compelling, about who we are: about the English people’s radical inclusivity, their deep-rooted commitment to the natural world, their long struggle to win rights for all. These stories put the Chartists, the Diggers and the Suffragettes in their rightful place alongside Nelson and Churchill.

They draw on the medieval writers and Romantic poets who reflect a more sustainable relationship with the natural world. And they include the diverse voices exploring our shared challenges of identity and equality today. Here, Caroline Lucas delves into our literary heritage to explore what it can teach us about the most pressing issues of our time: whether the toxic legacy of Empire, the struggle for constitutional reform, or the accelerating climate emergency.

And she sketches out an alternative Englishness: one that we can all embrace to build a greener, fairer future.

Format:Hardback 304 pages

Publisher:Cornerstone

Imprint:Hutchinson Heinemann

ISBN:9781529153064

Published:18 Apr 2024

Classifications:England, c 1700 to c 1800, c 1800 to c 1900, 20th century, British & Irish history, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, Nationalism