Englishness Identified by Paul Langford
In the 17th century the English were often depicted as a nation of barbarians, fanatics, and king-killers. Two hundred years later they were more likely to be seen as the triumphant possessors of a unique political stability, a vigorous industrial revolution, and a world-wide empire. These may have been British achievements; but the virtues which brought about this transformation were perceived as being specifically English. Ideas of what constituted Englishness changed from a stock notion of waywardness and unpredictability to one of discipline and dedication. The evolution of the so-called national character once more the subject of scrutiny and debate is traced through the impressions and analyses of foreign observers, and related to English ambitions and anxieties during a period of intense change.
This wonderful book brings such detail and generalisation together by being organised not chronologically but by 'six major supposed traits of Englishness': Energy, Candour, Decency, Taciturnity, Reserve, EccentricityLangford has read widely and unpredictably, especially in accounts that have never been translated into English. This has allowed him to produce a book that is, in one respect, brilliantly un-English: it is fascinated by what foreigners have thought. The Guardian In a well-written, attractive and handsome book, Langford makes careful and appropriate use of travel literature by foreigners in order to provide a fascinating account of developments in the understanding of the national character of the English, a country of 'twenty-four religions and only one sauce' HISTORY A fascinating topic, ably covered HISTORY
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780198206811 |
| ISBN 10 | 019820681X |
| Title | Englishness Identified |
| Author | Paul Langford |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Year published | 2000-06-01 |
| Number of pages | 402 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |