Ed West – författare

'An entertaining, wide-ranging defence and explanation of the conservative way of seeing the world . . . suffused with generosity and wit' Catholic Herald Brought up by eccentric intellectuals, Ed West experienced what he believed was a fairly normal childhood of political pamphlets as bedtime reading, family holidays to East Germany and a father who was one political step away from advocating the return of serfdom. In his mid-twenties, West found himself embracing a mindset usually acquired alongside a realisation that all music post-1955 is garbage, agreeing with everything said in the Telegraph and all the other bad things people get in middle age. This is his journey to becoming a real-life Tory boy.Forgoing the typically tedious and shouty tone of the Right, West provides that rare gem of a conservative book - one that people of any political alignment can read, if only to laugh at West's gallows humour and dry wit. Crammed with self-deprecating anecdotes and enlightening political insights, Tory Boy discloses a life shaped by politics and the realisation that perhaps this obsession does more harm than good. 'Anyone - liberal, conservative, whatever - would enjoy [this book]. It is full of the most fascinating facts, all mixed in with Ed's inimitable displays of self-mockery' Tom Holland 'A self-deprecating and often hilarious memoir of a born conservative watching the world go wrong. Sprinkled with gallows humour, like a political version of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch' The Critic

A witty and concise look at the beginnings of English history, when the nation consolidated after clashes between the Saxons and invading Vikings--now in paperback!In 871, three of England's four kingdoms were overrun by Vikings, the ruthless, all-conquering Scandinavian raiders who terrorised early medieval Europe. With the Norsemen murdering one king with arrows and torturing another to death by ripping out his lungs, the prospects that faced the kingdom of Wessex were bleak. Worse still, the Saxons were now led by a young man barely out of his teens who was more interested in God than fighting. Yet within a decade Alfred—the only English king known as the Great—had driven the Vikings out of half of England, and his children and grandchildren would unite the country a few years later. This period, popular with fans of television shows such as Vikings and The Last Kingdom, saw the creation of England as a nation-state, with Alfred laying down the first national law code, establishing an education system and building cities.Saxons vs. Vikings also covers the period before Alfred, including ancient Britain, the Roman occupation, and the Dark Ages, explaining important historical episodes such as Boudicca, King Arthur, and Beowulf.Perfect for newcomers to the subject, this is the second title in the new A Very, Very Short History of England series. If you’re trying to understand England and its history in the most informative and entertaining way possible, this is the place to start.

A riveting account of the most consequential year in English history, marked by bloody conflict with invaders on all sides.1066 is the most famous date in history, and with good reason, since no battle in medieval history had such a devastating effect on its losers as the Battle of Hastings, which altered the entire course of English history.The French-speaking Normans were the pre-eminent warriors of the 11th century and based their entire society around conflict. They were led by William 'the Bastard' a formidable, ruthless warrior, who was convinced that his half-Norman cousin, Edward the Confessor, had promised him the throne of England. However, when Edward died in January 1066, Harold Godwinson, the richest earl in the land and the son of a pirate, took the throne . . . . this left William no choice but to forcibly claim what he believed to be his right. What ensued was one of the bloodiest periods of English history, with a body count that might make even George RR Martin balk.Pitched at newcomers to the subject, this book will explain how the disastrous battle changed England—and the English—forever, introducing the medieval world of chivalry, castles and horse-bound knights. It is the first part in the new A Very, Very Short History of England series, which aims to capture the major moments of English history with humor and bite.

The idea of population diversity and its benefits seem irresistible both in theory and in fact, as well as an ever-present element of the human condition. In this ground-breaking analysis, Ed West investigates the causes for Britain's disenchantment with a fifty year experiment with diversity gone wrong. He uncovers shocking mismanagement by the politicians on both the left and the right that has created increasingly deep enchantment with immigration and how to manage these problems in a constructive way.

A witty and concise return to the very beginning of English history.England. 871. The land is overrun by Vikings: the unrelenting, impervious, bloodthirsty Scandinavian assailants who have instilled terror across early medieval Europe.For the kingdom of Wessex, prospects look bleak following the deaths of two of their kings: one by murdered by arrows, the other tortured to death, with his lungs ripped out...Worse still, the Saxons are now led by a young man barely out of his teens, more interested in God than fighting for his kingdom.But within a matter of years, England is transformed. Alfred - the only English king known as 'the Great' - has forced the Vikings out of half of England, and his descendants will go on to unite England within the decade.The period covered in Saxons vs. Vikings - popularised by TV shows such as Vikings and The Last Kingdom - was one of revolutionary change: the creation of England as a nation state, the implementation of Alfred's first national law code, and the establishment of an education system alongside immense architectural development.This fascinating introduction to the early days of England also covers the period before Alfred, such as ancient Britain, the Roman occupation, and the Dark Ages, exploring defining historical episodes in English history such as Boudicca, King Arthur, and Beowulf.