Books › The English constitution
The English constitution
First published 1867 · 468 pages
A sharp, witty peeling back of the velvet curtain to reveal the pragmatic machinery of power.
What it feels like
Reading this classic of political observation feels less like studying a dry legal text and more like sitting in a leather armchair at a Victorian gentleman's club, listening to a brilliantly cynical insider explain how the world actually works. The experience is steady and deeply pragmatic, stripping away the romanticized myths of governance to examine the psychological realities of power. The prose is elegant and aphoristic, dropping memorable maxims with a wry, knowing smile. It delights in the contrast between the dignified theatricality that awes the public and the efficient machinery that actually gets things done. This is a book for political junkies and lovers of institutional history who appreciate a sharp, unsentimental look at the human quirks that drive grand traditions.
- Mood
- intellectual
- clubby
- analytical
- Tone
- wry
- pragmatic
- authoritative
- observant
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- the illusion of power · institutional psychology · tradition versus utility · political pragmatism
- The writing
- Elegant, aphoristic, and surprisingly conversational, filled with sharp wit and memorable maxims.
- The arc
- Moves from a dismantling of grand political myths to a grounded, almost cynical appreciation for how human institutions actually function.
- Who it's for
- Political junkies and history buffs who delight in peeling back the curtain on how power is actually wielded behind the pomp and circumstance.
Content notes
- classism
- outdated political terminology
About the book
Pages 213, 302 and 304 misnumbered 313, 304 and 302 respectively.
Microfiche. Chicago, Ill.: Library Resources, inc., 1978. 1 microfiche: positive; 8 x 13 cm. (Library of English Literature; LEL 13198)
Description from Open Library.
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