' one of the truly great autobiographies in our language'

This pioneering account of Modern Spiritualism in late 19th and early 20th-century Scotland is a compelling history of the international movement’s cultural impact on Scottish art. From spirit-mediums creating séance art to mainstream artists of the Royal Scottish Academy, this exposition reveals for the first time the extent of Spiritualist interest in Scotland. With its interdisciplinary scope, Modern Spiritualism and Scottish Art combines cultural and art history to explore the ways in which Scottish art reflected Spiritualist beliefs at the turn of the 20th century. More than simply a history of the Spiritualist cause and its visual manifestations, this book also provides a detailed account of scepticism, psychical research, and occulture in modern Scotland, and the role that these aspects played in informing responses to Spiritualist ideology. Utilising extensive archival research, together with in-depth analyses of overlooked paintings, drawings and sculpture, Michelle Foot demonstrates the vital importance of Spiritualist art to the development of Spiritualism in Scotland during the 19th century. In doing so, the book highlights the contribution of Scottish visual artists alongside better-known Spiritualists such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Daniel Dunglas Home.

Loyalists and Loners is a collection of Michael Foot's essays. Adept at the longer distance though he was, one only has to remember "The Pen and the Sword "and his "Aneurin Bevan" biography, the essay very often saw his writing at its sharpest and most eloquent. He has been compared to Arnold Bennett and J. B. Priestley, but there is no exaggeration in extending that to A. J. P. Taylor. This volume, one of his very best, is split into four categories: A Labour Party Gallery, Four Prime Ministers, A Miscellany of Cross-breeds and Some True Prophets. Figures, sometimes unexpected ones, such as Hugh Gaitskell, Winston Churchill, Enoch Powell, Harold Nicolson and Alexander Herzen, are all written about with flair, sympathy and an infectious enthusiasm. There is nothing of the makeshift here, try his essay on Heinrich Heine, imbued with a deep knowledge and written in a sort of way as to make one immediately want to read the subject. That is a rare gift, time and time again Michael Foot demonstrated it.

Debts of Honour is Michael Foot's most famous collection of essays. Adept at the longer distance though he was, one only has to remember "The Pen and the Sword "and his "Aneurin Bevan" biography, the essay very often saw his writing at its sharpest and most eloquent. He has been compared to Arnold Bennett and J. B. Priestley, but there is no exaggeration in extending that to A. J. P. Taylor.

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""Of this volume, Kenneth Morgan has written, ' But it is still an enchanting volume, revealing of Foot's style and of his friends and heroes past and present. His heroes are literary and political, though it is clear that for Foot the categories merge into one common stream of aspiration.' There are fourteen essays. It is instructive to list the subjects: Isaac Foot (his father), William Hazlitt, Benjamin Disraeli, Beaverbrook, Bonar Thompson (Hyde Park Sceptic); Bertrand Russell; H. N. Brailsford; Ignazio Silone; Vicky (the cartoonist); Randolph Churchill; Thomas Paine; Daniel Defoe; Sarah, The Duchess of Marlborough, and Jonathan Swift. The range is impressively wide, something that struck a fledgling politician. In July 1982 Tony Blair wrote with depressing truth, 'The first thing that struck me about "Debts of Honour" was the prison if ignorance which my generation has constructed for itself.' Having mentioned Hazlitt, Paine and Brailsford and doubting they are still read, he ends with this exhortation, 'We need to recover the searching radicalism of these people.' Stirring words even if they might embarrass the author now

'Michael Foot is an accomplished politician, a trenchant orator and a devoted Socialsit - all good things to be. But the Michael Foot I like best is the enthusiastic essayist, using his command of words to praise his Radical heroes past and present. Here are fourteen of them in all theiri variety. Some were politicians, one was philosopher, some were journalists, one was a woman . . . some were Socialsits; some strongly anti-Socialist. But all, including Michael himself, had one thing in common: a proud individualism and a rejection of conventional ways . . . The book is packed with delights from the first page to the last.' A. J. P. Taylor, "Evening Standard"

'He pays theses "Debts of Honour" to a variety of incongruous people from Right as well as Left of the political spectrum. No narrow bigot could acknowledge as heroes both Hazlitt and Disraeli, both Bertrand Russell and Lord Beaverbrook. Only a determined eclectic could pay homage both to Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, and to Jonathan Swift, both to Vicky and to Randolph Churchill . . . Michael Foot is open-mindedly one-sided.' "The Times"

'He is one of the best literary and political journalsits and essaysits of our time: he is far, far more than an unusually literate politician. Mr Foot is a worthy companion of all those he writes about. Such a thoroughly enjoyable book ' Bernard Crick, "The Guardian"

Michael Foot's two-volume biography of Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan (1897-1960) - arguably Britain's greatest socialist, indelibly associated with the founding of the National Health Service - is one of the major political biographies of the last century. It is the life of an inspirational politician, written by one who knew and unabashedly admired him. Volume I, first published in 1962, describes Bevan's life from his birth in Tredegar in the South Wales Valleys, through his abortive schooling, his employment at a colliery and the subsequent embrace of socialism that would make him a leader among South Wales miners. It follows his path to the House of Commons as a Labour MP with a fast-rising reputation as a defender of the working class; and his marriage in 1934 to fellow firebrand MP Jennie Lee. The volume closes with Labour's landslide election victory of 1945, and Bevan's appointment as Minister of Health.

Disappointment can be salutary. In the 1955 election Michael Foot surprisingly lost his seat. Until then he had been a journalist, albeit a prolific and influential one. He now had more time on his hands. To both his father, Isaac Foot, and himself Jonathan Swift was a hero. His father, who believed writing to be the supreme vocation, now encouraged him to write a book on Swift. The result was The Pen and the Sword.""

Michael Foot concentrates on the crucial two years of 1710-11. In that time Swift published one of his most devastating polemics "The Conduct of the Allies "that tore into the Whig government and the Duke of Marlborough in particular. It is an important moment in English History: the pen and the sword fought a duel, and the pen proved the stronger of the two.

First published in 1957 it was well and widely reviewed.

'Enthralling ... a fine piece of historical writing.' "Spectator "

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'An exciting story excellently narrated ... a lucid guide to one of the most complicated patterns of intrigue and manoeuvre that the eighteenth-century can provide ... intensely dramatic.' Harold Nicolson, "Observer"

Michael Foot's two-volume biography of Aneurin 'Nye' Bevan (1897-1960) - arguably Britain's greatest socialist, indelibly associated with the founding of the National Health Service - is one of the major political biographies of the last century. It is the life of an inspirational politician, written by one who knew and unabashedly admired him. Volume II, first published in 1973, begins with Bevan's role in the founding of a comprehensive National Health Service - this while he was also tasked with addressing the country's severe post-war housing shortage. It takes in his 1951 resignation from the cabinet in protest at the introduction of prescription charges, and his subsequent leadership of a 'Bevanite' Labour left; his publication in 1952 of In Place of Fear; his service as Shadow Foreign Secretary during the Suez crisis in 1956; his controversial reversal of opposition to nuclear weapons in 1957; and his death from cancer in 1960.

Bertrand Russell was born in 1872 and died in 1970. One of the most influential figures of the twentieth century, he transformed philosophy and can lay claim to being one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He was a Nobel Prize winner for Literature and was imprisoned several times as a result of his pacifism. His views on religion, education, sex, politics and many other topics, made him one of the most read and revered writers of the age. This, his autobiography, is one of the most compelling and vivid ever written.
This one-volume, compact paperback edition contains an introduction by the politician and scholar, Michael Foot, which explores the status of this classic nearly 30 years after the publication of the final volume.

Available for the first time in the United States a new series of innovative critical studies introducing writers and their contexts to a wide range of readers. Drawing upon the mast recent thinking in English studies, each book considers biographical material, examines recent criticism, includes a detailed bibliography, and offers a concise but challenging reappraisal of a writer's major work. Published in the U. K. by Northcote House in association with The British Council.

A new political party - the Angels - appears in British politics. Part cult, part charity, the Angels are well funded, well-led by Michael (named after the Archangel). Their policies are designed to appeal across the UK electorate. They are linked with a Muslim group, the 2 drawn together by the fact that the Qur'an was dictated by the Angel Gabriel. Andrew, who works under cover in a London bank, is tasked to work his way into the Angels and establish their true agenda. In the process of getting accepted, Andrew is subjected to a series of 'tests' - 'labour of Hercules - set by the Leader of the Angels to monitor Andrew's abilities and commitment. These tests force Andre to work with a long-time Angel, Chloe, with whom he falls in love. Andrew gets accepted as a member of the inner circle of Angel advisors and helps to frame a set of policies for the Election. He becomes a fervent supporter of the new cause. A series of traumatic events - ending with an attempted assassination of the Angel's leader - leads up to the Election and helps the Angels break the stranglehold of the UK's established parties. The party is poised to take power; but this is to be very different Government from anything we have seen before.

A successful author and Liberal MP with a loving and benevolent wife, Richard Remington appears to be a man to envy. But underneath his superficial contentment, he is far from happy with either his marriage or the politics of his party. The New Machiavelli describes the disarray into which his life is thrown, when he meets the young and beautiful Isabel Rivers and becomes tormented by desire. At first, he struggles to resist and remain focused upon his familiar political, personal and social life. But as he soon learns, it is harder than he could have imagined to turn his back on love.

This collection focuses on Paine as the political theorist who was an inspiration to Americans in their struggle for independence, a great defender of individual rights, and the most incendiary of radical writers.

A child is in awe of life and brings wonder, magic, and laughter to every day. A little girl, Ashley, asks, What Should We Do Today, Mommy? From using our imaginations inside the house on cold winter days, walking to the park on warmer days, driving to the toy store on rainy days, or stopping at the neighborhood bake shop for a special treat to start the day, she reminds us of the delight of enjoying the moment. Ashley's enthusiasm will bring a smile to your face and excitement for the day through the eyes of a child