This book was first published by Cambridge in 1979. It is taken from the
1967 Clark Lectures and is in the first place a vigourous defence of the
study of English in a modern university. Leavis is concerned with
English Literature as a living reality, with the need for 'keeping
alive, potent and developing the full human consciousness of ends and
values and human nature that comes to us out of the long creative
continuity of our culture'. Responsibility for maintaining this
continuity, Leavis argues, can only be borne by a university with a
strong humane centre - and English school, defined as a collaborative
community of students and teachers. Leavis's concern, however, extends
further than the question of university education, for he sees the
university simply as one nucleus of a wider spiritual community that
should form the mind and conscience of the country. This book will
remain of interest to readers today.