Amid the 18th century’s golden generation that included his companions Adam Smith, Samuel Johnson and Edward Gibbon, Burke’s controversial mixture of conservative and subversive theories made him first a marginal figure, and finally a revered theorist – a hero of the Romantics. He warned of the effects of British rule in Ireland, the loss of the American colonies, and most famously, he foresaw the disastrous consequences of revolution in France. This he predicted, would trigger extremism, terror and the atomisation of society – a profound analysis that continues to resonate today.

In this absorbing new biography Conservative MP Jesse Norman gives us Burke anew, vividly depicting his dazzling intellect, imagination and empathy against the rich tapestry of 18th century Europe. Burke’s wisdom, Norman shows, applies well beyond the times of empire to the conventional democratic politics practised in Britain and America today. We cannot understand the defects of the modern world, or modern politics, without him.

Why You Should Read?

• Provides a profound analysis of the French Revolution's potential disastrous consequences, remaining relevant today.
• Offers insights into the effects of British rule in Ireland and the loss of the American colonies.
• Presents a biography by Jesse Norman, offering a fresh perspective on Burke's intellect and empathy within the context of 18th-century Europe.
• Explores how Burke's wisdom applies to contemporary democratic politics in Britain and America.

About the Author

Edmund Burke is a pivotal figure of the 18th century, renowned for his profound and prescient political theories. He was a British statesman and philosopher, whose writings significantly influenced conservative thought. Burke's insights extended beyond his time, offering critical perspectives on societal structures, revolution, and the foundations of governance. His work remains essential for understanding the complexities of political and social thought.