James Sharpe was Professor of History at the University of York from 1997 until his retirement in 2016. He is a leading social historian, with a particular interest in the history of crime. He has published widely on the subject and is a committee member of the International Association for the History of Crime and Criminal Justice. His books include Instruments of Darkness- Witchcraft in England 1550-1750 (1996) and Dick Turpin- the Myth of the English Highwayman (2004).
[A] compendious, fine-grained ... magisterial book ... The outlaw's song has surely never been better rendered. * Times Literary Supplement * A deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of violence in England from the Middle Ages through to the present day ... genuinely hard to put down. * BBC History Magazine * The richness of this wonderful book is testament to nearly 50 years spent working on the history of violence ... a fascinating and rare example of a beautifully crafted scholarly work. * Times Higher Education * Entertaining and instructive. -- Books of the Year * The Times * Deeply researched, thoughtfully considered and vividly written ... Read it. * History Today * A Fiery & Furious People is often a sobering read ... Sharpe's empirically grounded argument is a powerful and persuasive one. * Literary Review * Sharpe's eye for detail ensures that the shock value never dwindles -- Four star review, Francis Wheen * Mail on Sunday * A history of violence in England, from the Middle Ages onwards, this looks back to a time when violence was part of everyday life and asks what's changed and why. -- Books of the Year * Sunday Telegraph * Brings the subject memorably to life -- Book of the Week * The Week * A vivid survey of our enthusiasm for violence ... For a survey of violence, its pages overflowing with duelling, hooliganism, domestic abuse and even serial killing, Sharpe's book is actually quite a cheering read. ... The strength of Sharpe's book lies in its anecdotes, with almost every page containing an arresting or colourful detail. -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times * [An] engrossing history of violence ... You'll leave battered and bruised, but with a better understanding of the darker side of our nation's history * BBC Revealed Magazine * Wonderfully entertaining, comprehensive and astute ... This book is a welcome corrective to the reductive explanations and simplistic solutions favoured by populist politicians and fearmongering journalists. * The Times * Sweeping and ambitious ... packed with gripping anecdotes ... Sharpe is a humane and clear-eyed guide to a series of intractable and timely questions. * Observer * [An] encyclopaedic history of violence in England. . . Sharpe's book will tell you much about the creativity of the human mind when it comes to conceiving of ways to mistreat others. -- Paul Kingsnorth * New Statesman * Offers the reader a vivid and interesting insight into the history of violence in England. * LSE Review of Books * Examines a history of English violence from riots to highwaymen, and from executioners to serial killers. Mr Sharpe is a crime historian of many years and his book's strength lies in its scope, which allows the reader to survey the changes and customs of English society. * Economist * A compelling and endlessly fascinating book examining the history of violence in England, A Fiery and Furious People is, like the best history books, one that contrasts our history to our present with startling effect - making this an immediate and gripping read. * Bookbag * A fascinating romp through history * Your Family History *