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.His most recent titles include Kiss Myself Goodbye: The Many Lives of Aunt Munca and Big Caesars and Little Caesars: How They Rise and How They Fall, from Julius Caesar to Boris Johnson.

• 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.