Author:J M Roberts
This dazzling overview of a turbulent century explores both dramatic events and underlying trends. Despite a terrible two-stage 'European civil war' and the traumatic rise and fall of communism, wealth has increased dramatically alongside a four-fold leap in population, women's lives have been transformed, America has assumed undisputed political and cultural leadership. The Penguin History of the Twentieth Century is powerful, international and definitive.
Intriguing and entertaining...McKenna makes an impassioned case for re-gaying Wilde
—— The TimesA groundbreaking new biography of our greatest queer martyr
—— ObserverIt cannot be recommended too highly. Extraordinary, intensely passionate and quite beautiful
—— Manchester Evening NewsThis is by far and away the best biography of Oscar Wilde to date
—— John McRae, Professor of LiteratureA bold book
—— The GuardianExtraordinary, intensely passionate and quite beautiful
—— The Manchester Evening NewsA bustling, revealing and downright moving portrayal of thwarted genius
—— AttitudeNeil McKenna's book is the most important one to have been written about Wilde for many years
—— Irish IndependentMcKenna’s book offers an entertaining and fascinating (sometimes jaw-dropping) insight into Victorian homosexual practices. He is outstanding
—— The ObserverA sensational new biography
—— Bent MagazineA brilliant reconstruction of Oscar Wilde's dynamic sex life, brilliantly written and meticulously researched
—— Bent MagazineWhere this biography really excels is in recreating the fevered atmosphere of the late Victorian homosexual underground
—— Mail on SundayA fully convincing biography of this most intensely symbolic of Victorian lives
—— Gay TimesMcKenna makes many interesting connections between Wilde’s life and his literary works
—— Mail on Sunday