George Orwell (1903-1950) is one of England's most famous writers and social commentators. He is the author of the classic political satire Animal Farm and the dystopian masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four. He is also well known for his essays and journalism, particularly his works covering his travels and his time fighting in the Spanish Civil War. His writing is celebrated for its piercing clarity, purpose and wit and his books continue to be bestsellers all over the world. Alex Massie was educated at Glenalmond College in Perthshire and at Trinity College, Dublin. He is journalist and commentator and writes for The Times and The Spectator.
'Right up there among my favourite books ... I read it again and again' -- Margaret Atwood 'More relevant to today than almost any other book that you can think of' -- Jo Brand 'His final masterpiece. Enthralling and indispensable for understanding modern history' -- Timothy Garton Ash * New York Review of Books * 'One of the most shocking novels of the twentieth century' -- Margaret Drabble 'The book of the twentieth century' -- Ben Pimlott * Independent *