Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was an Irishman, born in Dublin, who lived in England from his youth until his death. He was a parliamentarian for twenty-nine years, from 1765 to 1794. This was a time of alarms and revolutions: the American Revolution and the French Revolution.

Burke was a political empiricist: he wanted to see, to feel, to investigate for himself, to see what was already being done in each specific set of circumstances. It was necessary to have a sympathetic, thorough familiarity with matters before suggesting any gradual amendments to particular arrangements. He wanted to maintain all that had been attained and then to augment it rather than destroy it in the hope, always forlorn, of a totally new system.

"Burke's writings are as relevant today as they were in the 18th century. The incursion of the state into other spheres of activity has been unrelenting. Understanding - and endeavouring to apply - Burke's thought to contemporary public policy issues is critical today.

The value of this collection is that it goes to the heart of Burke's thought, while sparing the reader what is often viewed as flowery language of the 18th century.

Many MPs know little of their political philosophy beyond superficial statements such as "I support freedom of speech".

Gary Furnell has provided a useful resource in collecting together the most valuable thoughts and writings of Edmund Burke in this volume. It deserves a wide readership." - Hon. Kevin Andrews.