The Work of William Morris

London: Quartet Books. Very Good. 1977. Revised Edition. Paperback. 8vo 0704331187 Neat name. Colour & b/w Illustrations / Plates. 325 pages clean and tight. This detailed and highly readable introduction to the life, ideas and work of William Morris has been highly praised both in Britain and in America (see page i). It takes into account the important research of recent years and has been further revised for this paperback edition. Paul Thompson devotes separate chapters to Morris's activities in different fields, thus emphasizing the amazing creative energy of his subject, who threw himself with equal conviction into whatever he undertook, whether he was dyeing a fabric, writing an epic poem, illuminating a manuscript, expounding socialism at street-corner meetings, designing wallpapers, denouncing the desecrators of historic buildings or just casting for pike in the Thames. His zeal and enthusiasm, combined with his artistic gifts, made Morris a magnetic personality. But, in addition, this campaign to bring art back to the people and to better the social conditions of his time has exerted an immense influence on the artistic and political developments of this century. In reassessing Morris's work, Paul "Thompson shows that his answers to the vital issues of his time are as immediate and relevant as ever. .