Kenneth O. Morgan – författare

The authorised – but not uncritical – life of one of the great parliamentarians and orators of our times, the former Labour Party leader, now in his nineties, who is also an eminent man of letters.Michael Foot has been a controversial and charismatic figure in British public life, political and literary, for over sixty years.Emerging from a famous west-country Liberal dynasty, he rose as a crusading left-wing journalist in the late 1930s: ‘The Guilty Men’ (his book on the pre-war appeasers of Nazi Germany) is one of the great radical tracts of British history. He has been the voice of libertarian socialism in parliament, an international socialist and government minister, and was Labour leader for two-and-a-half years between 1980 and 1983.His political friendships with people like Beaverbrook, Cripps, Aneurin Bevan and Barbara Castle were passionate and profound, but he also had a remarkable and quite different career as a man of letters, with Dean Swift, Tom Paine, Hazlitt, Byron, Wordsworth, Heine, Wells and Silone amongst his heroes. Foot’s two-volume life of Aneurin Bevan is a triumph of political biography.Kenneth Morgan's biography does full justice to both the public and the private side of Michael Foot – no more tellingly than his descriptions of Foot's long and happy marriage to the filmmaker, feminist and writer Jill Craigie.

This is the only detailed and comprehensive account of the policies, programs, and personalities of the powerful and influential Attlee government. Based on a vast range of previously unpublished material, personal papers, and recently released public records, the book provides in-depth portraits of key figures of the period and compares Britain during these years with other European nations after 1945. In conclusion, Morgan assesses the legacy of this crucial administration for Britain, the western world, the new Commonwealth, and the Labour Party itself.

First published as part of the best-selling The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain, Kenneth Morgan's Very Short Introduction to Twentieth-Century Britain examines the forces of consensus and of conflict in twentieth-century Britain. The account covers the trauma of the First World War and the social divisions of the twenties; fierce domestic and foreign policy debates in the thirties; the impact of the Second World War for domestic transformation, popular culture and the loss of empire; the transition from the turmoil of the seventies to the aftermath of Thatcherism and the advent of New Labour. Throughout, cultural and artistic themes are woven into the analysis, along with the distinct national experiences of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. The profound tension that shook the United Kingdom are juxtaposed against equally deep forces for stability, cohesion, and a sense of historic identity.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

A wide-ranging and comprehensive analysis of modern Welsh history by the acclaimed historian Kenneth O. Morgan. Taking as its starting-point 1880, the book covers all aspects of the nation's history from political, social, economic and religious development to literary, intellectual, and sporting achievement.

In Rebirth of a Nation the acclaimed historian Kenneth O. Morgan provides a wide-ranging and comprehensive analysis of modern Welsh history. Taking as its starting-point 1880, the book covers all aspects of the nations history from political, social, economic and religious development to literary, intellectual, and sporting achievement. His absorbing account spans the years of Liberal ascendancy and of national renaissance from 1880 to 1914; the period of economic depression, the rise of the Labour Party, and tension between Welsh and Anglo-Welsh from 1914 to 1945; culminating in a new sense of national identity following the Second World War.

BL By a leading historian of the periodBL Draws on sources recently released under the Thirty Year Rule The People's Peace is the first comprehensive study by a professional historian of British history from 1945 to the present day. It examines the transformation of post-war Britain from the planning enthusiasm of 1945 to the ethic of Thatcherism.Its themes include the troubles of the British economy; public criticism of the legitimacy of the state and its instruments of authority; the co-existence of growing personal prosperity with widespread social inequality; and the debates aroused by the process of decolonization, and by Britain's relationship to the Commonwealth, the transatlantic world, and Europe. Changes in cultural life, from the puritanical `austerity' of the 1940s, through the `permissiveness' of the 1960s, to the tensions of recent years, are also charted. Kenneth Morgan examines the paradoxes of life in the modern United Kingdom: the growing affluence and internal peace of mainland Britain, with its underside of disillusion and discontent.Using a wide variety of sources, including the records of political parties and documents recently released under the Thirty Years Rule, Kenneth Morgan brings the story right up to date and draws comparisons with the post-war history of other nations.This penetrating assessment by a leading historian of twentieth-century Britain will prove invaluable to anyone interested in the development of modern Britain.

This book examines the pattern of political and social change in Britain during the period of the Lloyd George coalition government 1918-22, and provides a reassessment of this major administration and its importance for its personality, David Lloyd George.

The People's Peace: Britain since 1945 is the first comprehensive study by a professional historian of British history from 1945 to the present day. It examines the transformation of post-war Britain from the planning enthusiasm of 1945 to the rise of New Labour. Its themes include the troubles of the British economy; public criticism of the legitimacy of the state and its instruments of authority; the co-existence of growing personal prosperity with widespread social inequality; and the debates aroused by decolonization, and Britain's relationship to the Commonwealth, the US and Europe. Changes in cultural life, from the puritanical 'austerity' of the 1940's, through the 'permissiveness' of the 1960s, to the tensions and achievements of recent years are also charted.Using a wide variety of sources, including the records of political parties and the most recently released documents from the Public Records Office, Kenneth Morgan brings the story right up to date and draws comparisons with the post-war history of other nations. This penetrating analysis by a leading twentieth-century historian will prove invaluable to anyone interested in the development of the Britain of today.

A new edition of this best-selling history of Britain, from Roman times, now updated to cover the first decade of the 21st century.The Oxford History of Britain tells the story of Britain and its people over two thousand years, from the coming of the Roman legions to the present day. Encompassing political, social, economic, and cultural developments throughout the British Isles, the dramatic narrative is taken up in turn by ten leading historians who offer the fruits of the best modern scholarship to the general reader in an authoritative form. A vivid, sometimes surprising picture emerges of a continuous turmoil of change in every period, and the wider social context of political and economic tension is made clear. But consensus, no less than conflict, is a part of the story: in focusing on elements of continuity down the centuries, the authors bring out that special awareness of identity which has been such a distinctive feature of British society. By relating both these factors in the British experience, and by exploring the many ways in which Britain has shaped and been shaped by contact with Europe and the wider world, this landmark work brings the reader face to face with the past, and the foundations of modern British society. This updated new edition (by the original editor) adds great richness by taking the story down from the economic crisis of 2008 to the conflict over Europe at the present day.

This beautifully illustrated volume tells the story of Britain and its people over two thousand years, from the coming of the Roman legions to the present day. Encompassing political, social, economic, and cultural developments throughout the British Isles, the dramatic narrative is taken up in turn by ten leading historians who offer the fruits of the best modern scholarship to the general reader in an authoritative form, illuminating their text with carefully chosen pictures and maps. A vivid, sometimes surprising picture emerges of a continuous turmoil of change in every period, and the wider social context of political and economic tension is made clear. But consensus, no less than conflict, is a part of the story: in focusing on elements of continuity down the centuries, the authors bring out that special awareness of identity which has been such a distinctive feature of British society. By relating both these factors in the British experience, and by exploring the many ways in which Britain has shaped and been shaped by contact with Europe and the wider world, this landmark work brings the reader face to face with the past, and the foundations of modern British society.The new edition, the first for almost twenty years, brings the story into the twenty-first century, covering the changes to British society and culture during the Blair years and the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath.

This work inquires into those aspects of the career and ideas of David Lloyd George that have had special relevance to Wales. It deals primarily with his place in the history of modern Wales and the importance of his Welsh background in his career in British and world politics.

The author himself provides the best description. 'In this book I examine about thirty key personalities in the the history of the British Labour movement between 1900 and 1987. I also try to explore what kind of typology of leadership emerges. This is, inevitably, a highly personal selection, in part reflecting my own interests, outlook and background. . . I hope, nevertheless, that the main kinds of Labour leaders, parliamentary politicians, trade unionists, machine apparatchiks, intellectuals, journalists, prophets and others are truly represented. . .'Kenneth O. Morgan succeeds magnificently in his aim whether he is writing about Keir Hardie, The Webbs, Ellen Wilkinson, Herbert Morrison or Denis Healey: these portraits and all the others are illuminated with a sympathetic scholarship. 'Morgan can bring to the study of the Labour Party a knowledge that is second to none' Ben Pimlott, New Society'It combines surveying the abundant recently published material on twentieth century British labour history with the integrating perspective of a sympathetic and very knowledgeable historian' Brian Harrison, London Review of Books'matchless authority . . . both attractive and unique' J. M. Winter, History'These Labour People are full of fascinating contradictions' John Mortimer, Sunday Times'polished, yet sharp, moving easily through complexities yet often with a provocative comment' David Howell, Welsh History Review

In his preface, Kenneth Morgan writes. 'Keir Hardie is by any test a decisive figure in the making of twentieth-century Britain. More than any other man. he was the maker of the modern Labour Party. . . Yet already he seems an elusive, almost forgotten figure . . .'It is Kenneth Morgan's supreme achievement to rescue Keir Hardie from his status as a sort of mythical figurehead and to present him as a more interesting, complex and credible person. In the context of the emerging Labour movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, we see Keir Hardie as pacifist, internationalist, feminist, radical and socialist; a great man if always somewhat out of step with his time.'Deeply sympathetic, impeccably scholarly and beautifully written. . . It brings out the full complexity of Hardie's character and the full range of his interests. Hardie is brought back to life' A . J. P. Taylor'Excellent . . . the first complete biography by a professional historian' Asa Briggs, Times Literary Supplement'Written with tempered sympathy and considered judgement. With grace and assurance, this book is an imposing achievement' Stephen Koss

The author illustrates the nature and the limitations of political nationalism that arose in Wales in the last century, and investigates its impact upon Welsh politics and society. He outlines and explains the growing awareness of opinion outside Wales of the distinctive needs of the Principality, as the indifference, if not contempt, of mid-Victorian Britain gradually gave way to a more intelligent, if sometimes still patronizing, understanding. An Epilogue takes the account down to 1970, and this revised edition incorporates a number of minor amendments and additions.

Originally published in 1971, this book traces the revival, triumph, division and decline of the British Liberal Party in the late 19th & 20th centuries. It does so by focusing on the career of David Lloyd George, itself the decisive agent for change in this period. The first part of the book is an extended critical essay; the second part consists of primary documentary material which is intimately linked to the commentary in the first section. The major phases of the period are covered: The tension between the Old Liberalism and the New; the challenges confronting the Liberal government of 1905-15; the impact of world war and Lloyd George’s wartime premiership; the Lloyd George coalition in 1918-22 and the reasons for its downfall; and the slow decline of the Liberals between 1922 and 1929.

Originally published in 1971, this book traces the revival, triumph, division and decline of the British Liberal Party in the late 19th & 20th centuries. It does so by focusing on the career of David Lloyd George, itself the decisive agent for change in this period. The first part of the book is an extended critical essay; the second part consists of primary documentary material which is intimately linked to the commentary in the first section. The major phases of the period are covered: The tension between the Old Liberalism and the New; the challenges confronting the Liberal government of 1905-15; the impact of world war and Lloyd George’s wartime premiership; the Lloyd George coalition in 1918-22 and the reasons for its downfall; and the slow decline of the Liberals between 1922 and 1929.

This is an integrated range of studies, focussing on Wales, by a long-established, internationally-recognised academic authority and member of the House of Lords, on the advance of democracy and the evolving idea of national identity in modern Britain. Looking back to the impact of change in Europe and the wider world from the 1789 revolution in France onwards, this book covers key personalities such as Lloyd George, the impact of the First World War in Wales, and relates to contemporary debates on Scottish independence and the connections with Europe. It opens up wider issues of open government, foreign policy, the rule of law and and cultural diversity.

This is an integrated range of studies, focussing on Wales, by a long-established, internationally-recognised academic authority and member of the House of Lords, on the advance of democracy and the evolving idea of national identity in modern Britain. Looking back to the impact of change in Europe and the wider world from the 1789 revolution in France onwards, this book covers key personalities such as Lloyd George, the impact of the First World War in Wales, and relates to contemporary debates on Scottish independence and the connections with Europe. It opens up wider issues of open government, foreign policy, the rule of law and and cultural diversity.

This is the story of the life, professional achievements and personal background, challenges and achievements of Wales’s leading historian. During his long career, Kenneth O. Morgan has been a prolific writer and, through his pioneering work, has become a leading authority on Welsh History, British History and Labour History. This autobiography also details Morgan’s often entertaining and unconventional personal experiences, and the eminent people he has met along the way – from his work in television, radio and the press as election commentator and book reviewer, to his involvement in the Labour Party from the late 1950s onwards and the close relations he developed with such Labour leaders as James Callaghan, Michael Foot, Douglas Jay and Neil Kinnock. In addition to being a respected author, Morgan has held the position of University Vice-Chancellor in Wales, is an active Labour peer, and continues to lecture at universities around the world – all achieved while juggling his life as a husband and father.In this revealing memoir, published in the year of his eightieth birthday, Morgan reflects on marriage and bereavement, on re-marriage, parenthood, friendship, religion and morality, his reactions to the historical changes he has witnessed, from attending a village school in rural Wales and wartime air-raids, through school in Hampstead and study in Oxford University and in Wales, down to entry into the House of Lords. Despite past traumas, this memoir still conveys invigoratingly a senior scholar’s idealism, abiding sense of optimism and belief in progress.Contents.List of IllustrationsForewordChapter 1 A Divided ConsciousnessChapter 2 Education, Education, EducationChapter 3 History-Making: A Welsh HistorianChapter 4 History-Making: A British HistorianChapter 5 History-Making; A Labour HistorianChapter 6 History-Making: A Contemporary HistorianChapter 7: History-Making: A BiographerChapter 8: Experiences: The House of LordsChapter 9: Experiences: TravellingChapter 10: Experiences: Old and New LabourChapter 11 My History