The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is recognised as one of the most authentic novels of English working class life ever written, a masterpiece of wit and political passion. It tells the story of a group of working men who are joined one day by Frank Owen, a journeyman-prophet with a vision of a just society. Owen’s spirited attacks on the greed and dishonesty of the capitalist system rouse his men from their quietism.

With the recent anniversary of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ publication, sales of the book surged. In the face of dire economic forecasts, it confounded expectation by reaching number six in the Amazon Movers and Shakers list. Penguin have redesigned the cover using this artwork commissioned from Jonathan Williams and a reprint will be shipping in a couple of weeks.