It is composed of twenty-six separate pieces that cover a wide range of topics from drug legalisation to the influence of Shakespeare.

[1] He generally describes British culture as a "moral swamp" and writes that the people must return to past traditions before it is too late.

He advocates a restoration of what he calls traditional British virtues such as "prudence, thrift, industry, honesty, moderation, politeness, self-restraint".

The secular substitute— the belief in the perfection of life on earth by the endless extension of a choice of pleasures— is not merely callow by comparison but much less realistic in its understanding of human nature.

The book is elegantly written, conscientiously argued, provocative and fiercely committed... His measured polemics arouse disgust, shame and despair: they will shake many readers' views of their physical surroundings and cultural assumptions, and have an enriching power to improve the way that people think and act.