A People's History of England [antikvár]

FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION ^^hen I wrote, almost seven years ago: "This book ends at one of the most critical moments in our history, when more than ever before their own fate and the fate of the world lies in the capacity of the people for right jud^ent followed by right action," I hardly dreamed how swiftly and terribly my estimate was to be confirmed. In my closing pages I had described the drift towards catastrophe and pointed to the need for complete reversal of policy if that catastrophe was to be avoided. This change has now been made, but unfortunately it was made too late to avoid war and a national humiliation. From the betrayal of Spain to Munich, and then with increasing speed, Britain's rulers followed the road which ended on the Dunkirk beaches. The shock of Dunkirk followed by the collapse of France produced a national awakening and a break with the shame-fill past in time to prevent us fi-om sharing the fate of France. Today, with whatever hesitation and uncertainties, we begin to follow a different road. It will lead us, if we persevere on it, first to victory and then to the fi'iendly co-operation of the nations for the rebuilding of a shattered world and the securing of a fuller and happier Ufe for all. The British people, by a choice and act of the will, have, as I say, changed the direction pf affairs. But this is not a choice once made and then for ever secure; it must be a continuous choice, a continuous rejection of false policies, which requires a real understanding and a knowledge of the world in which we live. This book was written in the first place because I believe that such understanding requires at least some knowledge of the history of our people, because we cannot know the present without