Towards the Light is not only a revealing history book, but an examination of Western values that will enlighten, provoke and fascinate. Questions about equal rights, freedom of thought and transparent government are as relevant now as ever and are constantly in the news. By the well-known and bestselling author of Among the Dead Cities and The Meaning of Things

'A rollicking defence of Freedom and Enlightenment in the style of Tom Paine or William Godwin' Spectator 'The even-handed tone of philosophy professor AC Grayling's latest book does not lessen the intensity of its polemical content ... In describing the human cost of each victory over these forces, Grayling underlines the seriousness of today's threats to our liberties' Metro 'Grayling covers a huge historical and geographical span, he has done an impressive amount of reading, and he tells some fascinating stories' Independent on Sunday 'Grayling charts the progress of liberty from its modern roots in the Reformation through the end of absolute monarchy to contemporary conventions on human rights, pointing out every bloodstain on the way' Independent

A.C. Grayling is Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a multi-talented author. He believes that philosophy should take an active, useful role in society. He has been a regular contributor to The Times, Financial Times, Observer, Independent on Sunday, Economist, Literary Review, New Statesman and Prospect, and is a frequent and popular contributor to radio and television programmes, including Newsnight, Today, In Our Time, Start the Week and CNN news. He is a Fellow of the World Economic Forum at Davos, and advises on many committees ranging from Drug Testing at Work to human rights groups.