Analyses the nature of human courage, the uses of memory, the true purposes of education, love and charity, and the approach of the Grim Reaper. This book considers the public ideas and events, with examples on family, politics, the intellectual life, beliefs and morals, words and writing. Its arguments are illustrated from life.

The outstanding quality of Richard Hoggart's new book is its charm. In the style of Montaigne, Hoggart looks back over his years and pinpoints those human qualities which have come to mean most to him and which he has appreciated in others. Part of this man's charm derives from the fact that like most truly great men he is also extremely self-effacing. Literacy and the use of language remain an abiding concern of Professor Hoggart but he also analyses in these pages the nature of human courage, the uses of memory, the true purposes of education, love and charity, and the approach of the Grim Reaper. Throughout, Hoggart considers the public ideas and events which have interested him, and their intertwinings with his personal life. Examples would be- the family, politics, the intellectual life, beliefs and morals, words and writing. All of these are looked at through what the author describes as his 'time telescope'. Thus this book is not a theoretical or abstract record. Its argument is illustrated from life. We live in the age of the cult of youth and personality. Our lives are increasingly driven and influenced by The Media.But in these pages is contained the wisdom of one of the most astute and perceptive of our contemporary critics - a literary, social and cultural judge who is also very greatly loved by his admirers.

'this is a timely and important book, and a very good one. Alongside quotations garnered from a lifetime's reading, there is much to treasure....The elderly should read this, find comfort and enjoy their sunset's many consolations. The young should read it, take stock and relearn to respect their elders.' The Times, 04/11/2006