Just Ordered The New John Wilkes Book

I'm so excited. It's the little things, you see?

I've been waiting months for Arthur Cash's new book on John Wilkes (John Wilkes: The Scandalous Father of Civil Liberty) to hit the streets. The new title's just been released by Yale University Press. I can't wait to grab a roll of Necco wafers and dig into this tome. Note, the book reviews the life of the British agitator for whom Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is named, not Lincoln's assassin.

Where else can you read up on one of the most colorful English figures in history? Remembered as the rebellious father of the British free press, Wilkes is credited with authoring the dirtiest poem ever published in English. Other exploits include this episode recounted in his Wikipedia entry:

He was well known for his verbal wit and his snappy responses to insults. For instance, former friend and member of the Hellfire Club, Lord Sandwich shouted to him "You, Sir, will either die of the pox or the gallows!" Wilkes responded "That would depend on whether I embrace your lordship's mistresses or your principles."

Should make for fun reading.