Across the Pond Politics | Interview: Francis Dearnley

This book, first published in 1935, examines the tumultuous period leading up to World War I, during which the Liberal Party faced significant challenges from the House of Lords, the suffragette movement, Irish nationalism, and militant trade unions. Dangerfield's work remains influential in understanding the political upheaval of early 20th-century England.

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.