Soft

Ferdinand Mount was Political Editor of The Spectator and Editor of The Times Literary Supplement. For two years he was head of Margaret Thatcher’s think-tank – The Number 10 Policy Unit. He is an authority on politics today, and writes regularly for The Times Literary Supplement and the London Review of Books.

• Introduction: The Unforgivable SinCHAPTER ONE: The First Sentimental RevolutionInventing Love – Passionate about the Passion – This Vale of Tears – The Power of SoftCHAPTER TWO: The New Stony AgeA Lament for Walsingham – The Dowsing Rod – Chilling with MichelangeloCHAPTER THREE: The Second Sentimental RevolutionThe Man Who Invented Me Too – Love Divine, All Loves Excelling – The Continental Version – The Dawn of Toleration – TheThree Scottish Sympathizers – Movers, Shakers and QuakersCHAPTER FOUR: Manliness Rules OKReacting into Reaction – Women Can Be Manly, Too – The Dry Imperial EyeCHAPTER FIVE: Mr Popular SentimentThe Case of Charles Dickens – Uncle Tom and Aunt Phillis – Victor Hugo, Hélas!CHAPTER SIX: The Great EstrangingThe Dilemma of The Doctor – On or About December 1910 – The Revolt Against the MassesCHAPTER SEVEN: The Third Sentimental Revolution1963 and All That – It’s a Private Matter – It’s a Crime to Discriminate – Murdered for a Song – Tears on the Turf – 6 September 1997Picture Credits and PermissionsNotesFurther ReadingAcknowledgementsIndex

Reads like an elegant love letter to the human heart itself.