Review excerpts: British Idealist Studies series
"Carter has done a great service to the Labour movement by attempting to
bring Green back into the mainstream of socialist thought . . . an excellent
study." Roy Hattersley, New Statesman
"Students of British political thought and ideology as well as of Green
will learn much from Carter's book". Avital Simhony, Ethics
"Erudite and scholarly." Jonathan Warner, The
European Legacy
"Carter makes the link between the philosophical debates of the late Victorian
era and today's politics." Paul Richards,
Fabian
Review
"An excellent guide to Green's thought and influence . . . remarkably accessible
for a reworked PhD thesis." Andrew Bradstock,
Christian Socialist Magazine
"A good read for all those wanting to understand what makes New Labour
tick." The Guardian
"There is little that is new in life or politics. Someone has always been
here before. Green has been here before. He was right then and is even
more right now. The book tells us how and why." Neal
Lawson, Renewal
"A serious read, richly annotated with footnotes and packed with new research
. . . it takes effort to read and comprehend, but the effort is worth it."
Labour
History
"An interesting theme of the book is the link between 'new' liberalism
and 'new' Labour." Martin Jenkins,
Tribune
"The great strength of the book is its defence of the importance of Green's
work in the history of ideas and, in particular, the development of New
Liberalism. It is well argued and sensitive to the various historical controversies
surrounding the persons involved, as well as that of Green's legacy." Thom
Brooks, Political Studies Review
"Carter discusses well the impact of the idea of democratic equality (coupled
with positive freedom) on Green's rejection of the negative minimal state
of laissez-faire liberalism." Avital Simhony, British
Journal of Politics and International Relations
"A very well constructed and timely book which provides a trenchant, intelligent
and well argued reassessment of Green's impact on twentieth century ideological
thought and socialist thinking in particular. Andrew
Vincent, Collingwood and British Idealism Studies.
"Ideas born in the nineteenth century can significantly influence government
and society in the twenty-first, which is what makes the study of Green
and his followers relevant today." Jonathan
Warner, The European Legacy
"Carter presents a strong case for the influence of idealism during the
formative years of the Labour Party . . . There is much to learn from Carter's
book, both for scholars of idealism and for those interested in Labour
Party ideology." Colin Tyler, History
of European Ideas.
"Provides the reader with a satisfying scholarly picture of the broader
import of Green's thought (and of Idealism) on a range of philosophical,
political, religious and economic issues."
Andrew Vincent, Victorian Studies.
"An impressive and scholarly historical study of Green's thought and political
activism. Leighton presents a strong case and does so in a style that is
both lucid and engaging." Colin Tyler, European
Journal of Political Theory
" . . . especially impressive in the scholarly way that it traces Green’s
debts in this area to German theological thought, and particularly to Pietism.
Moreover, Leighton is unquestionably right that examining Green in this
way does help to shed light on his work in general, so that not only is
Green’s relationship with Kant and Hegel clarified somewhat, but also the
nature of his radicalism becomes easier to identify." Edmund
Neill, English Historical Review
"Leighton makes a compelling argument that Green's philosophy and sociopolitical
ideology, far from a departure from religion, are in fact substantially
religious in character." John Vickery,
J. Religion
"A work of particularly outstanding scholarship: literally no stone is
left unturned in this exhaustive and well-written examination of Green's
philosophical views in the light of contemporary debates." Thom
Brooks, THES
"Leighton's study is probably the richest assessment of Green's religious
ideas among the present books." Andrew
Vincent, Victorian Studies.
"Ben Wempe's TH Green's Theory of Positive Freedom may be heavy
going at times, but it is essential reading for anyone who thinks that
the Labour government should do more than pluck individual initiatives
out of the air." Roy Hattersley, The
Guardian
"A serious and significant contribution to this rich and growing literature."
Colin
Tyler, European Journal of Political Theory
"Anyone seeking an overview of the place of liberty in Green's thought
will find Wempe's study helpful." Luke O'Sullivan,
British
Journal for the History of Philosophy
"Wempe makes a powerful case both for his interpretation of Green's theory
of positive freedom and positive freedom more generally." Thom
Brooks, THES
"Deeply interesting . . . Wempe's book is rich in scholarly content and
argument and embodies a deep knowledge of Green's work that repays intensive
study." Andrew Vincent, Victorian
Studies.
De Sanctis is to be contratulated. Anyone interested in European Liberalism
will neeed to read this book and I look forward to his future publications.
R.J. Halliday, Australian Journal of Politics
and History
"An excellent discussion of Green's contributions to democratic theory
and political obligation." Thom Brooks, THES
"James Connelly's closely argued work, part of an excellent series on British
idealists, achieves more than its primary purpose of refuting the suggestion
of a 'radical breach' in Collingwood's output. It is also a valuable introduction
to ideas which remain consistent, whether published or left in manuscript
form." Mark Garnett, Times Literary Supplement
"Exegesis of the highest quality." Andrew Lockyer,
History
of Political Thought
"Collingwood's 'big worry' -- the nature of the unity of thought and action
-- could not have found a better or a more discriminating analyst." Peter
Johnson, Contemporary Political Theory
"A valuable and commendable contribution to the study of Collingwood's
philosophy. . . . especially useful to the Collingwood scholar in that
it draws extensively from the unpublished manuscripts." Richard
Murphy, Collingwood and British Idealism Studies.
"This book is a sustained detailed systematic analysis of Collingwood's
work and Connelly's enthusiasm shines through." Matt
Sleat, Political Studies Review
"Connelly is good agt drawing out meaning from Collingwood's sometimes
abstruse and ambiguous prose." Martin Stuart-Fox,
Australian
Journal of Politics and History
"Set apart from much previous Collingwood scholarship by the author's commanding
knowledge and extensive use of Collingwood's unpublished manuscripts and
correspondence." Timothy C. Lord,
Philosophical Books
"In short, to this reviewer’s mind, Hughes-Warrington has written an exemplary
book. . . . Indeed, of the very many books about Collingwood during the
years of his most intense re-assessment it is this one that most reflects
the spirit of Collingwood’s own way of doing philosophy. " Peter
Johnson, History of Political Thought
"This is a good book . . . a good solid review of a very complex topic.
The book is a very useful addition to the academic history library as a
detailed and updated guide to Collingwood's oevre." Tony
Taylor, History Australia
"Hughes-Warrington makes a powerful case for the inclusion of Collingwood’s
ideas in any philosophy of education on which policy is to be based — to
apply both within the
educational system and Academy, and beyond in the wider society." Martin
Stuart-Fox, Australian Journal of Politics and History
"I should conclude by emphasizing that, for all my carping, Hughes-Warrington’s
monograph remains a very clear and useful study of a seldom discussed aspect
of Collingwood’s philosophy as well as a valuable attempt at situating
it within currents issues in (mainly British) history education today."
Chinatsu
Kobayashi, Collingwood and British Idealism Studies
"A history of ideas that ranges with formidable learning." Peter
Coleman, Quadrant.
"Ian Tregenza’s meticulous study shows how Oakeshott deployed selective
readings of Hobbes to support his own developing ideas." Mark
Garnett, Conservative History Journal
"The book sheds considerable light on the thought of Oakeshott and on how
it may be clarified by looking at the ways in which he used Hobbes's thought
to reflect on politics in the broadest context." James
G. Mellon, Political Studies Review
"This is a skillfully posed and smartly analysed work that offers a definitive
analysis of neither Oakeshott nor Hobbes but confronts the reader with
an intriguing view of a philosophical relationship. . . Tregenza’s work
makes a fine contribution as the third book in a significant series on
Oakeshott." Steven Gerencser, History
of Political Thought
"An impressive piece of writing . . . one of the best discussions of Collingwood’s
logic of question and answer I have encountered." Peter
Johnson, History of Political Thought
"By anchoring Collingwood’s philosophy of history firmly in his philosophy
of mind, Helgeby provides a timely reminder that history is something more
serious than
imaginative play with texts." Martin
Stuart-Fox, Australian Journal of Politics and History
"Oakeshott's later philosophy is immensely dense and intricate, and is
already provoking a notable literature of interpretation. O'Sullivan's
Oakeshott
on History is a most impressive contribution to it." Kenneth
Minogue, Times Literary Supplement
"O'Sullivan not only relies on Oakeshott's published works, he is the first
researcher to make use of the collection of Oakeshott's papers at the London
School of Economics. This newly accessible source of information allows
O'Sullivan to provide a detailed account of the evolution of Oakeshott's
ideas on the subject of history. . . O'Sullivan provides a fascinating
and detailed account of Oakeshott's ideas both on the history of political
thought and the philosophy of history. This is an impressive undertaking
and the result is a comprehensive understanding of Oakeshott's ideas on
history.' Natalie Riendeau, Collingwood
and British Idealism Studies
"In this scholarly and carefully written book Luke O’Sullivan provides
a more sustained and comprehensive treatment of Oakeshott’s views on history
than any so far attempted." Nevil Johnson,
History
of Political Thought
"Luke O’Sullivan traces Oakeshott’s developing ideas with commendable clarity,
drawing on unpublished manuscripts and enlivening his account with biographical
snippets." Mark Garnett, Conservative History
Journal
"A very helpful and welcome volume which may prompt working historians
to find out what one of the greatest historical thinkers of the twentieth
century actually said." Michael Bentley,
English Historical Review
"One of the many virtues of his book is the amazing degree of discipline
with which he confines his study to its subject: Oakeshott's philosophy
of history." Alex Astrov, Contemporary
Political Theory
"O'Sullivan's book is well worth reading as a guide to Oakeshott on history;
I recommend it." Rex Martin, History
and Theory
'Roy Tseng meticulously reconstructs Oakeshott's views across their full
range and adeptly weaves the disparate strands together into a coherent
and plausible whole.' Graeme Garrard, Political
Studies Review
'One of the real virtues of Tseng’s approach is that it enables him to
make connections between Oakeshott and other trends in modern philosophy,
as well as to tie together some of the seemingly diverse strands within
Oakeshott’s thought itself.’ Ian Tregenza,
History
of Political Thought
‘Tseng’s book offers an interesting effort to make Oakeshott’s thought
a plausible non-foundational alternative to post-modernism and reactionary
traditionalism in reaction to the crisis of the Enlightenment project.’
Natalie
Riendeau, Collingwood and British Idealism Studies
'Essential reading.' Max Payne, Network
"A vindication of Oakeshott's philosophy of experience as a critique of
the Enlightenment project." Alex Astrov, Contemporary
Political Theory
"Among a plethora of books on Oakeshott’s philosophy, the most thorough
and efficacious I’ve read." Bob Cheeks, Intellectual
Conservatism
"This is an excellent and illuminating book." John
Charvet, History of Political Thought
"Podoksik shows how the somewhat problematic notion of practice as a modality
of experience in the early work . . . culminated in the mature category
of conduct featured in On Human Conduct." George
Feaver, Times Literary Supplement
"In a wide-ranging and perceptive account, Podoksik presents Oakeshott
as a defender of modernity, despite his acute awareness of its various
dilemmas." Mark Garnett, Conservative History
Journal
"The book is a superb text for both the novice and the seasoned Oakeshott
reader. The former will find a refreshingly clear exposition of Oakeshott's
work considered as a whole. The latter will find a bold statement challenging
some entrenched interpretations." Leslie Marsh,Political
Studies Review
"The book as a whole is a major contribution to the
scholarly literature on Oakeshott. . . . Podoksik’s central thesis—that
Oakeshott wanted to defend the plurality and fragmentation of modern life—is
surely right." Elizabeth Corey,
Society
This study is a full and highly engaging account of one of the twentieth
century’s major political thinkers . . .the strength of this book
does not lie in its precise political characterisation of Oakeshott, but
in its wider and more ambitious attempt to locate the Oakeshottean project
in the context of modern British and European thought." Richard
Bourke, The European Legacy