I’ve just been informed that a 75th anniversary edition of JB Priestley’s classic book, ‘English Journey’ is to be published by Great Northern Books in July 2009.

The book will feature archive and contemporary images of the places visited by Priestley on his journey, an original unabridged version of Priestley’s text, which was first published in 1934, alongside an introduction by Tom Priestley (JBP’s son) and an essay on the social, political and literary legacy of the book by Lee Hanson.  It will also contain essays on Priestley and specific locations featured in the book by Margaret Drabble, Nina Bawden, Roy Hattersley, Alan Plater, William Woodruff, Dr John Baxendale and Beryl Bainbridge.

English Journey will be featured at the London Festival of Literature, The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre on Friday 10 July, at which Tom Priestley and Margaret Drabble will speak about, and answer questions on, Priestley’s legacy.