This book offers an original interpretation of John Stuart Mill's final years and the changes in his economic and religious thought late in life. Following his wife's death, Mill emerged from solitude to champion a number of causes. By virtue of the selfless zeal with which he pursued his political agenda, and his modesty and compassion, as well as his great stature as an economist and philosopher, Mill attracted a number of devoted followers.

There were disagreements among them, however, on some fundamental issues. A 'heterodox' faction questioned the Ricardian assumptions on which Mill's own political economy was based. Influenced by these followers - relativists and historicists - and strongly hoping to win over politically active workers, Mill modified his economic and religious thought in small but significant ways.

These emendations resulted in serious inconsistencies in his final essays, inconsistencies which offended Mill's 'orthodox' disciples and have long puzzled historians.