*Chosen as a Book of the Year by The Times, History Today and the Sunday Telegraph*‘Wonderfully entertaining, comprehensive and astute.’ The Times‘Genuinely hard to put down.’ BBC History MagazineFrom murder to duelling, highway robbery to mugging: the darker side of English life explored. Spanning some seven centuries, A Fiery & Furious People traces the subtle shifts that have taken place both in the nature of violence and in people’s attitudes to it.How could football be regarded at one moment as a raucous pastime that should be banned, and the next as a respectable sport that should be encouraged?When did the serial killer first make an appearance?What gave rise to particular types of violent criminal - medieval outlaws, Victorian garrotters – and what made them dwindle and then vanish?Above all, Professor James Sharpe hones in on a single, fascinating question: has the country that has experienced so much turmoil naturally prone to violence or are we, in fact, becoming a gentler nation?‘Wonderful . . . A fascinating and rare example of a beautifully crafted scholarly work.’ Times Higher Education‘Sweeping and ambitious . . . A humane and clear-eyed guide to a series of intractable and timely questions.’ Observer‘Deeply researched, thoughtfully considered and vividly written . . . Read it.’ History Today‘Magisterial . . . The outlaw’s song has surely never been better rendered.’ Times Literary Supplement
