The Crisiswas a London weekly published between January 1775 and October 1776. It was the longest-running weekly pamphlet series printed in the British Atlantic world during those years, and it used unusually bold, pithy language. Neither the longevity of the effort nor the colorful language employed would be reason enough to collect and print all ninety-two issues under one cover in a modern edition.The Crisislays claim to our attention because of its place in the rise of freedom of the press, its self-conscious attempt to create a transatlantic community of protest,...

Joseph Mather was one of the greatest Sheffielders in history. His was the voice of the common person in the turbulent, revolutionary times of the late 18th century. He composed his songs to the rhythm of his hammer as he worked as a file-cutter. Then hollered them out in the streets and pubs of Sheffield on a Saturday night. This was the 18th century jukebox, karaoke and alternative comedy.
This edition adds to the last published version of 1862, with previously unpublished songs and historical background.

The Songs of Joseph Mather ... seared across my mindscape like a...

Joseph Gales was one of the all-time great Sheffielders - forget Joe Cocker, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sean Bean or Michael Palin. These are all minnows compared to Joseph Gales - and their stories are boring besides that of the Galeses. The Galeses story has been forgotten and has not been brought together in one place before - it is not just something dredged up from history - an irrelevant dusty skeleton. What they tried to do for freedom of the press, and for free speech - principles for which they had to flee the country, principles which they took with them to America and put into practice...