With Professor Frank Furedi and historian Professor Jonathan Clark
London and Online
THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 7.30pm
A war is being waged against the Past. Whether it’s toppling statues, decolonising the curriculum or erasing terms from our vocabulary, a cultural crusade is underway designed to render the past toxic. It is condemned as enemy territory and has become the target of venomous hate. What is at stake in provoking such a strong sense of societal shame towards Western history?
In his latest book, The War Against the Past: Why the West Must Fight for its History, Frank Furedi mounts a fierce defence of the past and calls for a fight back against the delegitimization of its ideals and accomplishments. Casting the past as a story of shame has become a taken-for granted outlook permeating the educational and cultural life of western society from the top down. Its advocates may see it as a cultural imperative, but a society that loses touch with its past will face a permanent crisis of identity. Squandering the wisdom provided by our historical inheritance means betraying humanity’s positive achievements. Challenging this great betrayal, Furedi argues, is one of the most important battles of our time.
Join us to hear Professor Furedi introduce his book and discuss it with his eminent respondent, historian Professor Jonathan Clark.
The lecture, response and Q and A will be followed by a book-signing and wine reception.
Copies of The War Against the Past will be on sale on the night for £25 or you can purchase it in advance, for collection on arrival, at checkout along with your ticket, for just £20.
Alternatively, you can order a copy for UK delivery, at £22, using this link.
About Professor Frank Furedi
Author of more than 26 books, Frank Furedi’s studies have been devoted to an exploration of the cultural developments in western societies. In recent years he has published several studies on the impact of the Culture Wars on family life, socialisation, education and public life. He is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent.
About Professor Jonathan Clark
Educated at Cambridge, he was a Fellow of Peterhouse; at Oxford, he was a Fellow of All Souls College. In the US he was a Visiting Professor at the Committee on Social Thought at Chicago, and Hall Distinguished Professor of British History at the University of Kansas. His latest book is The Enlightenment: An Idea and its History (OUP).
Reviews of The War Against the Past:
“In this deeply researched and brilliantly written book, Frank Furedi shines a light on what is at stake in the current war against the past. Young people, deprived of their cultural heritage, are left confused and alienated. The achievements of human civilisation are trashed. What remains, if we do not stop this trend, is nihilism and despair. Furedi gives a clarion call to action.” Robert Tombs, University of Cambridge
“In this important book, Frank Furedi explains and also refutes the abuse of History by all those who are trying to use the past to further their narrow, ideological interests. Covering a wide range of issues in politics, the arts, language, and identity, this is a vital and timely defence of the objective study of the past and will be of relevance to everyone who values evidence and truth in our culture.” Lawrence Goldman, St. Peter’s College, Oxford
CHAIR:
Dr Jan Macvarish, Education and Events Director of the Free Speech Union.
IN-PERSON TICKETS: FSU members £10. Non-FSU Members £15. Aged 25 and under £12. Ticket plus donation to the FSU £25.
The book will be on sale on the night for £25 or you can purchase it in advance, for collection on arrival, at checkout along with your ticket for just £20.
Alternatively, you can order a copy for UK delivery, at £22, using this link.
Ticket-holders only – NO NEED TO PRINT TICKETS, WE’LL HAVE A LIST OF REGISTRANTS.
Online attendance is free to FSU members. Please register using the Zoom link supplied in FSU emails.
The Free Speech Union is a non-partisan, mass membership public interest body that stands up for the speech rights of its members. Find out more here.
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