Living in History

The book delves into the intersection of radical poetry and politics, tracing its evolution from the welfare state to Thatcherism. It challenges conventional views of the British Poetry Revival by highlighting the influences of empire and exile on poets like Kamau Brathwaite and J. H. Prynne. The narrative emphasizes the roles of Linton Kwesi Johnson and Denise Riley in the liberation movements of the 1970s, exploring the tension between artistic ambition and political engagement. Through close readings and archival research, it redefines the landscape of British poetry and its historical contexts.