The Rise of English Nationalism is a reinterpretation of English history, culture, and literature. It presents the first detailed study of English nationalism, treating this as the rising dominant force of English cultural and political history during the eventful age of King George III. Lucidly and often amusingly written, it challenges yet incorporates many existing theories on the causes of contemporary political, economic, intellectual and social change.

The result is a fascinating new synthesis, vigorously argued and packed with thought-provoking insights into - among other things - contemporary language, cultural politics, English political radicalism, Evangelical religion, Romantic literature, the psychological wellsprings of the Industrial Revolution, and the moral "making of Victorianism."