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From Brentry to Backstop: A Journey Through the History of Pelican Books

E.M. Forster

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Pelican Books are a series of affordable paperback books published by Penguin Books. They were first published in 1937, and have since become one of the most popular and influential book series in the world.

A Short History of Brexit: From Brentry to Backstop (Pelican Books)

by Alex Nowrasteh

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Language	:	English
File size	:	3209 KB
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Print length	:	357 pages

The Pelican Books series was founded by Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin Books. Lane believed that there was a market for affordable, well-written books that would appeal to a wide range of readers. He commissioned a team of writers, editors, and designers to create a series of books that would be both informative and entertaining.

The first Pelican Book was published in 1937, and was titled The Intelligent Man's Guide to Modern Knowledge. The book was a huge success, and sold over 1 million copies in its first year. The success of the first Pelican Book led to the publication of many more titles, and the series soon became a staple of British intellectual life.

Pelican Books have covered a wide range of topics, including history, philosophy, science, literature, and the arts. They have been written by some of the most famous and influential thinkers of the 20th century, including Bertrand Russell, Aldous Huxley, and George Orwell.

Pelican Books have played a significant role in the development of British culture. They have helped to educate and inform generations of readers, and have played a major role in shaping British intellectual life.

The Early Years

The early years of Pelican Books were marked by a great deal of experimentation. The series was still finding its feet, and Lane was willing to try anything that he thought would appeal to readers.

One of the most interesting experiments of the early years was the publication of a series of "Penguin Specials." These books were published on topical issues, and were often written by experts in the field. The Penguin Specials were a great success, and helped to establish Pelican Books as a serious publisher of non-fiction.

The Golden Age

The 1950s and 1960s are often considered to be the golden age of Pelican Books. During this time, the series published some of its most famous and influential titles, including The Pelican History of England, The Pelican Guide to English Literature, and The Pelican Shakespeare.

The golden age of Pelican Books was also a time of great innovation. The series introduced new design features, such as the use of colour photographs and illustrations. Pelican Books also began to publish more original works, rather than relying on reprints of existing works.

The Modern Era

The modern era of Pelican Books has seen the series continue to evolve. The series has expanded into new areas, such as self-help and popular science. Pelican Books has also become more international in its outlook, with the publication of titles from all over the world.

Despite the changes that have taken place over the years, Pelican Books remains a vital and important part of British culture. The series continues to publish high-quality, affordable books that inform and entertain readers of all ages.

Some of the Most Famous Pelican Books

The Intelligent Man's Guide to Modern Knowledge by Bertrand Russell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
The Pelican History of England by A.L. Rowse
The Pelican Guide to English Literature by Boris Ford
The Pelican Shakespeare
The Pelican History of Art by Ernst Gombrich
The Pelican History of Science by J.D. Bernal
The Pelican Guide to Modern Thought by Bertrand Russell
The Pelican Guide to Contemporary Thought by A.J. Ayer

Pelican Books Today

Pelican Books continues to publish high-quality, affordable books that inform and entertain readers of all ages. The series has recently published a number of new titles, including:

The Pelican Guide to the Digital World by Tom Chatfield
The Pelican Guide to the Climate Crisis by Michael E. Mann
The Pelican Guide to the Future of Work by Matthew Taylor
The Pelican Guide to the Modern Mind by David Eagleman
The Pelican Guide to the History of the Universe by David Christian

Pelican Books is a vital and important part of British culture. The series continues to publish high-quality, affordable books that inform and entertain readers of all ages.