Wison Books

Charles Dickens was a remarkable public performer and orator, known as one of the most prominent figures of the Victorian era. Despite his youthful energy, he appeared older than his fifty-eight years at his death, which was marked by a large funeral at Westminster Abbey, contrary to his wishes for a modest event. Dickens experienced the highs and lows of life during this period, becoming not just a creator of beloved literary characters but embodying some of them himself. The narrative reflects on key events in his life, aiming to uncover the sources of his creative genius and lasting appeal. Tracing his journey from childhood to adulthood, it becomes evident that his fiction was deeply influenced by his own experiences, including a challenging upbringing and the struggles he faced, such as the fallout from a troubled marriage. A.N. Wilson goes beyond conventional biography to explore the roots of Dickens's vibrant imagination, shedding light on why his works captivated nineteenth-century audiences and continue to resonate with readers today.

a tale of human courage and resistance' - Lady Antonia Fraser'I loved this book, not read without shedding a tear, reminding us that true democracy goes hand-in-hand with true kingship' - Roy Strong

This work includes A.N. Wilson on 'The Gospel According to Matthew', Nick Cave on 'The Gospel According to Mark', Richard Holloway on 'The Gospel According to Luke', Blake Morrison on 'The Gospel According to John' and the King James Bible text of all four Gospels.

A. N. Wilson has been thinking about the Bible, and reading it, since he read theology for a year at university. Martin Luther King was 'reading the Bible' when he started the Civil Rights movement. When Michelangelo painted the fresco cycles in the Sistine Chapel, he was 'reading the Bible'. In The Book of the People A. N. Wilson explores how readers and thinkers have approached the Bible, and how it might be read today. Charting his own relationship with the Bible over a lifetime of writing, Wilson argues that it remains relevant even in a largely secular society, as a philosophical work, a work of literature and a cultural touchstone that the western world has answered to for nearly two thousand years. He challenges the way fundamentalists whether believers or non-believers - have misused the Bible, either by neglecting and failing to recognize its cultural significance, or by using it as a weapon against those with whom they disagree. Erudite, witty and accessible, The Book of the People seeks to reclaim the Good Book as our seminal work of literature, and a book for the imagination.

The narrative explores a revolution ignited by Goethe, emphasizing the themes of subjectivism, individualism, and the quest for freedom. Through its characters and philosophical insights, it delves into the transformative impact of these ideas on society and personal identity, showcasing the struggle for self-expression and autonomy. The book invites readers to reflect on the enduring relevance of Goethe's influence in shaping modern thought and the ongoing pursuit of liberation in various forms.

When Fanny Williams, a successful boutique owner, tries to buy an abandoned church to use as a warehouse, she learns that its architect was Oswald Fish, who has played an unsuspected role in her life

In a book that is as daring and unconventional as it is scholarly, the celebrated biographer of Tolstoy and C.S. Lewis searches for the elusive historical reality in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Wilson enables readers of every shade of faith or skepticism to discover the man who became the central figure in Western civilization and whose teachings have survived nearly 2,000 years.

The first comprehensively researched biography of Queen Victoria ever, by one of Britain's best biographers. This magnificent biography sheds new light on Victoria not just as a queen, but as a woman.

This large-format hardback offers a portrait of the Victorian era, featuring over 150 illustrations, including photographs, paintings, drawings, and cartoons from that time.

Every December, a huge Christmas tree arrives in Trafalgar Square. Bedeckedin lights, it is a shimmering, festive beacon in the heart of London. But evenmore enchanting than the twinkling decorations and scented pine is the storybehind the tree; a story of loyalty, friendship and resistance.On a cold evening in 1940, German w arships made their w ay tow ards Oslo. Itseemed inevitable that Norw ay, like so many other European nations, w ould soonsubmit to the Nazi regime. But the country's indomitable King Haakon VII refused tosurrender. Making his escape through his country tow ards the safe haven of Britain,King Haakon became an icon of hope for his people. And so, over seventy yearslater, the tree in Trafalgar Square remains as an enduring gift of thanks fromNorw ay to the people of Britain.In The King and the Christmas Tree historian A. N. W ilson artfully w eaves togetherthis tale of courage and friendship betw een nations. Richly illustrated andbeautifully told, it is a delightful Christmas cracker for everyone, young and oldalike.