| ISBN |
9780349128573 (paperback) |
| 9780349128566 (hardback) |
| Name |
Ings, Simon author. |
| Title |
Engineers of human souls : four writers who turned to politics / Simon Ings. |
| Published |
London : The Bridge Street Press, 2024. |
| ©2024 |
| Description |
xv, 352 pages ; 24 cm |
| Notes |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Auguste-Maurice Barrès 1862-1923 -- Gabriele D'Annunzio 1863-1838 -- Maxim Gorky (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov) 1868-1936 -- Ding Ling (Jiang Bingzhi) 1904-86. |
| Summary |
An intimate and shocking shadow history of creative egotism in a time that turned writers -- once the faithful servants of authority -- into figures of political consequence. Maurice Barrès, who first wielded the politics of identity. Gabriele D'Annunzio, whose poetry became a blueprint for fascism. Maxim Gorky, dramatist of the working class and Stalin's cheerleader. The Maoist Ding Ling, whose stories exculpated the regime that kept her imprisoned. All four nursed extravagant visions of the future, and believed they were vital to its realisation. Each was lured to the centre of political action. Each established a dangerous and damaging relationship with a notorious dictator. And when writers and rulers find a use for each other, the consequences can be shattering for us all. These stories -- of courage and compromise, vanity and malevolence -- speak urgently to the uncontrollable power of words. |
| Subjects |
Barrès, Maurice, -- 1862-1923 |
| D'Annunzio, Gabriele, -- 1863-1938 |
| Gorky, Maksim, -- 1868-1936 |
| Ding, Ling, -- 1904-1986 |
| Authors -- 19th century -- Biography |
| Authors -- 20th century -- Biography |
| Politics and literature -- History |
| Genre |
Biographies |
| Links to Related Works |
Subject References:
Authors:
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