This volume investigates the cultural and political climate of Britain during the early 1980s through a curated selection of journalism from The Guardian. The editor, W.L. Webb, compiles a diverse array of reports, opinion pieces, and features that capture the zeitgeist of a volatile period in British history. With an introduction by William Golding, the collection provides a contextual framework for understanding the shifting social landscape and the journalistic standards of the era.

The subject matter points to a dense, historical record that serves as a time capsule for researchers and students of 20th-century media. The inclusion of William Golding’s introduction suggests an emphasis on the literary quality of the journalism contained within the volume.