
- 272 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
In Distilling the Frenzy, the UK's leading contemporary historian examines the special considerations that apply to writing the history of one's own times, and revisits the grand themes running through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. He looks at Britain's persistent impulse to punch well above its weight in the world; at the sustenance of the nuclear weapons policy which has accompanied that impulse; and at the intelligence operations which underpin it. For the human perspective on these huge issues, he applies his trademark blend of scholarship and wit to assess the contrasting styles and achievements of post-war prime ministers from Clement Attlee to David Cameron. As one of Britain's foremost constitutional experts (and now a cross-bench peer) Peter Hennessy brings a unique perspective to the question of reform of the House of Lords, that irritation to the body politic once again at the very forefront of political debate. Shot through with a thread of autobiography that gives the book an especial immediacy, Distilling the Frenzy is a major work of contemporary history.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Dedication
- INTRODUCTION : DISTILLING THE FRENZY: THE PSYCHODRAMATIC AND THE PROSAIC
- 1 : THE HUMAN FOOTNOTE:
- 2 : STAYING BEHIND, CATCHING UP AND LOOKING FORWARD:
- 3 : AN INSTINCT TO INTERVENE:
- 4 : CHILD OF THE URANIUM AGE:
- 5 : THE THIN WISPS OF TOMORROW:
- 6 : TASKS AND FLOWS:
- 7 : A VERY PECULIAR PRACTICE:
- 8 : POWER AND THE PURSUIT OF INFLUENCE:
- 9 : THE VIEW FROM A HOGWARTIAN WINDOW:
- 10 : THE POWER AND THE STORY:
- 11 : PAPER TRAIL:
- 12 : CONCLUSION THE TAXI DRIVER AND BERTRAND RUSSELL:
- NOTES
- INDEX
- About the Author
- By the Same Author
- Copyright