A Fiery and Furious People : A History of Violence in England

Resumen del libro

Wonderfully entertaining, comprehensive and astute.' The Times Genuinely hard to put down.' BBC History MagazineFrom murder to duelling, highway robbery to mugging: the darker side of English life explored. Spanning some seven centuries, A Fiery x{0026} Furious People traces the subtle shifts that have taken place both in the nature of violence and in people's attitudes to it. How could football be regarded at one moment as a raucous pastime that should be banned, and the next as a respectable sport that should be encouraged? When did the serial killer first make an appearance? What gave rise to particular types of violent criminal - medieval outlaws, Victorian garrotters - and what made them dwindle and then vanish? Above all, Professor James Sharpe asks whether a country that has experienced so much turmoil is naturally prone to violence or whether we are, in fact, becoming a gentler nation.

Wonderful . . .

A fascinating and rare example of a beautifully crafted scholarly work.' Times Higher Education Sweeping and ambitious . . .

A humane and clear-eyed guide to a series of intractable and timely questions.' Observer Deeply researched, thoughtfully considered and vividly written . . .

Read it.' History Today Magisterial . . .

The outlaw's song has surely never been better rendered.' Times Literary Supplement