Own a Piece of Literary History: The Book That Gave a Nation Its Identity

Step back into the turbulent and politically charged world of 18th-century England with the book that created one of the most enduring national symbols in history: the honest, stout, and bull-headed Englishman, John Bull.

Crafted by the brilliant satirist John Arbuthnot in 1712, The History of John Bull is far more than a story; it's a masterpiece of political propaganda and witty satire. Written during the War of the Spanish Succession, Arbuthnot's series of pamphlets introduces the world to John Bull, a plain-dealing clothier, and his tumultuous lawsuits with his cunning neighbors, Lewis Baboon (Louis XIV of France) and Lord Strutt (The King of Spain). Through this brilliant allegory, Arbuthnot argued for an end to a costly war, captivating the public and shaping popular opinion with his humor and sharp insight.

This is the foundational text that cemented the personification of England in the global consciousness, influencing satirists for centuries, from Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope to modern-day commentators.