THE FORMATION OF THE BRITISH LIBERAL PARTY

by John Vincent ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 18, 1967

If there is such a thing as a book that is too good for its intended audience, this is probably one. Well-read Americans can be expected to have heard of Gladstone, Palmerston, Russell and Bright; they may even know that these men were the leaders of a new national party in opposition to the Tories under Disraeli, which emerged just prior to our own civil War. They will probably be interested to learn how this party came into being, and what held it together. Beyond this, they will also probably find Mr. Vincent's very thorough efforts the next thing to a double acrostic. The larger picture does emerge, however, if the finer points are lost in transport: a portrait of the Victorian Liberal, with his ""great moral idea of...manliness,"" is quite distinct. Although there was a great gap between idea and actual accomplishment--too great to be bridged by a ""plank called hypocrisy""--somehow these men, with their slender bundle of reforms, beat back the weaponry of revolution on the one hand and reaction on the other. How is a good story; why, one must doubtless be English to understand.

Pub Date: April 18, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION