{"product_id":"the-member-and-the-radical-paperback","title":"The Member and the Radical - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn Galt\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003ePaul Scott\u003c\/b\u003e (Introduction by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGalt's two great political novels date from around the passing of the Reform Act of 1832. \u003ci\u003eThe Member\u003c\/i\u003e has claims to be the first political novel in the English language and is a \u003ci\u003etour de force\u003c\/i\u003e of wit, observation, and a devastating critique of political self-seekings. Its hero is a Scot, newly returned from India, who purchases a seat in a rotten borough. As a study of the corruption of the pre-reform parliament it is unsurpassed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Radical\u003c\/i\u003e is a study of narrow-minded, humour-less fanaticism. Galt's aim is to demonstrate the fragility of the existing order and the closeness of anarchy to the surface of society. This is the first republication of \u003ci\u003eThe Radical\u003c\/i\u003e since its original edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Member has claims to be the first political novel in the English language and is a tour de force of wit, observation, and a devastating critique of political self-seeking.The Radical is a study of narrow-minded, humourless fanaticism. Galt's aim is to demonstrate the fragility of the existing order and the closeness of anarchy to the surface of society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Galt was born in 1779 in the town of Irvine on the Ayrshire coast where his father was a shipowner and sea captain trading with the West Indies. The family moved to Greenock when Galt was 10, and much of his later writing came from this corner of the West of Scotland. Leaving his job as a junior clerk in Greenock, Galt set out for London at the age of 25. When his business plans did not work out he went on a tour of the Mediterranean and the Near East. It was during this time that he met and befriended Byron. Having published \u003ci\u003eLife of Cardinal Wolsey\u003c\/i\u003e and a volume of tragedies in 1812, Galt turned to writing full-time after his marriage in 1813. A second novel, \u003ci\u003e The Majolo\u003c\/i\u003e (1816) was published but met with little success. Galt found his metier with Ayrshire \u003ci\u003eLegatees \u003c\/i\u003e(1820), purporting to be letters home from a family of Scots visiting London. Appearing anonymously in monthly instalments in Blackwoods Magazine, this work led directly to the publication of \u003ci\u003eAnnals of the Parish\u003c\/i\u003e (1821), a gently ironic masterpiece. This was followed in the same vein by\u003ci\u003e The Provost\u003c\/i\u003e (1822), while \u003ci\u003eThe Entail\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e Sir Andrew Wylie\u003c\/i\u003e (both 1822) had similar strengths, although structured as more conventional novels. \u003ci\u003eRingan Gilhaize\u003c\/i\u003e (1923) took a darker turn in a unique psychological and historical study of Covenanting fervour and the 'killing times' in the 17th century.\u003cbr\u003eBecoming involved with the development of Canada, he became supervisor for the Canada Company. Galt helped to settle Ontario and founded the town of Guelph. However, he was baldy treated by the directors and after four years abroad his health failed and he returned to London to face bankruptcy and a spell in the debtor's prison. His \u003ci\u003eLife of Lord Byron\u003c\/i\u003e (1830) was a controversial success and the novels The Member and The Radical (both 1832) took a searching look at his country's political life. After suffering a disabling series of strokes he worked on his \u003ci\u003eAutobiography\u003c\/i\u003e (1833) followed by \u003ci\u003eLiterary Life and Miscellanies\u003c\/i\u003e (1834). He returned to Greenock in 1834 and died there five years later.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 288\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.71 x 7.75 x 4.99 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 01, 2001\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51758037991712,"sku":"9780862416423","price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/6ffc957abd1a133c6e99fafb89de4102.webp?v=1780116967","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-member-and-the-radical-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}