About This Book
Soft (2025) traces how feelings have shaped Western civilization across a thousand years, from medieval poetry to contemporary reforms on divorce, gay marriage and abortion. Through vivid historical analysis, this exploration shows how sentimentality in art and culture, despite being dismissed as weak or manipulative, has quietly driven social and political progress.
Who Should Read This?
- History enthusiasts curious about how human emotions and social attitudes have evolved over centuries
- Art lovers who enjoy exploring connections between artistic expression and broader cultural shifts
- Anyone interested in cultural criticism and understanding contemporary debates about sensitivity and "wokeness" through a historical lens
About the Author
Ferdinand Mount is a British writer and novelist who served as head of Margaret Thatcher’s Policy Unit. He later became editor of the Times Literary Supplement, establishing himself as a prominent political columnist and essayist. He has written extensively across multiple genres, including a six-volume novel series called A Chronicle of Modern Twilight and several acclaimed works of historical fiction.
