Orwell on Truth

'Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two equals four. If that is granted, all else follows.'

Has any author been more quoted in the news this year than George Orwell?

Whether you have read Nineteen Eighty-Four or not, you'll no doubt be familiar with the concepts of Big Brother, Doublethink and Newspeak. Time and time again, when we talk about authoritarianism, surveillance, propaganda, revisionism or post-truth, it is Orwell's prescient and clear-eyed writing that gives us the context to even begin to make sense of it all. Harvill Secker has a proud (grateful*) history of publishing Orwell, and we're very excited about this stunning, giftable book of George Orwell's thoughts on the subject of truth, including an introduction from former Home Secretary Alan Johnson and these striking quote illustrations designed by Vintage Design.

A beautifully produced, small gift hardback collecting together Orwell's most penetrating and articulate statements about the importance, and elusiveness, of truth drawn from both his novels and non-fiction writing.

It ranges from discussion of personal honesty and morality, to freedom of speech and political propaganda.
Orwell's unique clarity of thought and illuminating scepticism provide the perfect defence against our post-truth world of fake news and confusion.