Customs in Common

978-93-50024-52-2

Aakar Books, delhi, 2016

547 pages

Price INR 995.00
Book Club Price INR 747.00
INR 995.00
In stock
SKU
pro_1577

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E.P. Thompson's main thesis is that in 18th-century England there was a tacit agreement of social behaviour and stability between the gentry and the poor. Both were allowed to take certain measures to achieve their aims – the gentry did it via the parliament, and the poor via civil disobedience. Most interesting, however, was the symbolic struggle, or cultural struggle – what E.P. Thompson calls the theatre and counter-theatre. The theatre meant the social attitudes – the gentry had its wigs, its fancy outfits, and its arrogant attitude, and the poor had their popular culture. This was a way to channel power and discontent through cultural manifestations.

E.P. Thompson

Edward Palmer Thompson was an English historian, writer, socialist and peace campaigner. He is probably best known today for his historical work on the British radical movements in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, in particular, The Making of the English Working Class (1963).


Reviews

This book signals the return to historical writing of one of the most eloquent, powerful and independent voices of our time. At his best, he is capable of a passionate, sardonic eloquence which is quite unequalled.

The Observer

Meticulously researched, elegantly argued and deeply humane.

New York Times Book Review