John Rees: The Fiery Spirits

Writing on the Wall are delighted to welcome back historian John Rees to present his compelling work of narrative history, The Fiery Spirits: Popular Protest, Parliament and the English Revolution. As WoW proudly celebrates 25 years of radical storytelling, John uncovers the hidden stories of influential MPs and their allies who envisioned a kingdom without a crown. The so-called ‘fiery spirits’ who brought a desperate nation to the brink in the Civil Wars include the future regicide Henry Marten, the firebrand William Strode, the formidable colonel Alexander Rigby and Sir Peter Wentworth, descendant of a long line of anti-monarchists. More than a book of political intrigue, The Fiery Spirits is a testament to the power of the people. Its reflections on mass demonstration resonate deeply today as four independent candidates sit at Westminster as a direct result of solidarity with the Palestinian people. John Rees is an influential historian, broadcaster, campaigner. His books include Timelines: A Political History of the Modern World, The Leveller Revolution and A People’s History of London, co-authored with his partner Lindsey German. He also produces documentaries and presents current affairs programmes for the Islam Channel. Currently, he is a Visiting Research Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is a National Officer of the Stop the War Coalition, which opposes the British establishment’s disastrous addiction to war, and a founding member of the organisation Counterfire.