The Progressive Patriot

ISBN-13: 9780552772426 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 363 str.

Billy Bragg

Opis

What does it mean to be English? What does it mean to be British? Does the rise in popularity of the St. George s flag represent a new beginning or symbolize the return of the far right? Is the Union Jack too soaked in the blood of empire to be the emblem of a modern multicultural state? In a country in whicheveryone isborn under two flags, what does it mean to be a patriot? In 2006, Billy Bragg saw his home town become the front line in the debate over who does and does not belong in 21st century Britainan apparent reaction to the July2005terror attacks on London, when four British citizens from the immigrant community killed52 innocent people and injured many more. This book is an urgent, eloquent and passionate response to these events. Reflecting on his family history and revisiting the music that inspired him, Billy Bragg pits his own values against those of traditional Britishness in a search for a sense of belonging that is accessible to all and in so doing, offers positive hope to a nation no longer sure of its own identity."

Recenzje

An intriguing and timely book, which opens a new angle on the debate of what it means to be British and a patriot Daily Express

O autorze

Billy Bragg was born in December 1957. When punk rock hit the music scene, Bragg formed his first bank, Riff Raff. Following their demise, he spent a brief spell in the British Army before emerging as a solo performer in 1983. His back-to-basics, stripped-down style earned him many admirers, among them Kirsty MacColl, who had a top ten hit with his song 'A New England'. Bragg's radical views saw him become a fixture at political rallies and benefits, particularly during the 1984 Miners' Strike. He was a founder of Red Wedge - an artist-led initiative to encourage young people to vote Labour in the 1987 General Election. He has release ten albums, the most recent being England, Half English.
Billy lives in Dorset with his partner and their son and is still writing songs and challenging our elected politicians.