The British Imagination – Early Reviews

“Brilliant”

Rod Liddle, Times Radio

“The ‘imagination’ of Watson’s title is not merely the creative artistic imagination, but also that of scientists and inventors … he is right to conclude that the historic significance of Britain in these fields is immense … nuanced … intelligent.”

Simon Heffer, The Spectator

“This is a book with much to offer – Watson highlights the role of scientific innovation in shaping British identity, gives intriguing insights about the contemporary Anglosphere and delivers a nuanced and appreciative account of the post-imperial and migrant contribution to modern English writing.”

Rowan Williams ― Financial Times

“This book is a grand endeavour in every sense . . . Watson offers a kaleidoscopic, often provocative insight into British intellectual and social development over the centuries.”

Alexander Larman ― Observer

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The Discovery of Fatherhood

Special feature

In my history books – some of them anyway – I have tried to draw attention to most of the important intellectual developments in the past, even the distant past.

One breakthrough, which I regard as arguably the most important breakthrough of all (for its effects on the way we think about ourselves and our social organisation), has received almost no reporting, and so I have created a special space for it here. It is just a few pages long, but if the argument is correct, the consequences are momentous. Read on …