Publisher's Synopsis
A Liberal Mind in Action - Essays in Honour of Richard Holme is a varied collection of essays gathered and edited by Alison Holmes designed to bring to life the wide-ranging career of Richard Holme in the words of those who knew him well. A new kind of political biography, this book provides the opportunity for those who worked with Richard over many years to offer their views not only on the history of the issues Richard had made his life's work, but also their ideas of the future. Authors such as Peter Riddell, Shirley Williams, Jim Naughtie and Jonathon Porritt look at their own areas of expertise and put Richard's work into a broad social/historical/political context rather than simply focussing on the man himself. The book has five sections and, while Richard had determined that he would write an introduction to each, he was unable to complete this task before his death in May 2008. From the opening chapter on liberalism to the closing chapter on constitutional reform, Richard's two guiding beliefs, and all that lies between, the reader will gain insight and perspective on a liberal mind in action.
