An insider's portrait of one of the most turbulent and fascinating periods in English history.
A fervent royalist despite civil war and the beheading of Charles I, Dryden participated - through his poetry - in every fierce political battle of his day. He raised satire to the art of great delicacy, analysing men's weaknesses with unflinching accuracy and cool wit. Among many other poems and satires, this edition includes his devastating account of political incompetence during the Popish Plot, 'Absalom and Achitophel', his vindication of King and government in the face of vicious attacks and rumours by Puritans and anti-royalists, 'Annus Mirabilis', and 'Mac Flecknoe', his hilarious attack on the mediocrity and shallowness of poet Thomas Shadwell.
The most complete edition available, with themed introduction, notes, selected criticism and chronology of Dryden's life and times.
