The intellectual life of the British working classes

Jonathan Rose's "The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes" is a groundbreaking work of social history that explores the surprising extent of literacy and intellectual engagement among working-class people in Britain.

Rose challenges traditional assumptions about working-class culture, revealing a rich and vibrant intellectual life that often went unnoticed by historians.

The book examines the various ways in which working-class people accessed and engaged with literature, ideas, and knowledge, highlighting the importance of self-education, community learning, and the role of institutions like libraries and workingmen's clubs.

Rose's work offers a compelling counter-narrative to the often-negative stereotypes associated with working-class culture, demonstrating the intellectual vitality and resilience of ordinary people.