On the Pleasure of Hating

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) was a prolific journalist, parliamentary reporter, dramatic and literary critic, essayist and lecturer. He was the one of the first English writers to make a profession of descriptive criticism.