Overview

English cowboy, tramp, author, adulterer, social reformer, preacher. This lovingly written, but brutally honest, biography by the subject's grandson belongs to an unusual genre - the spiritual thriller. Stanley James, as an 1890s hippy in the Canadian West, was a cowhand, shepherd, navvy, hobo and reporter, soldier in the Spanish-American war, poet and actor. Ever the searcher after truth, he returned to his native England, married and became a Nonconformist minister who both charmed and alienated his Walthamstow congregation with his socialism, pacifism and feminism. In 1923 he converted and turned himself into a leading Catholic commentator with nine books to his name. Widely respected for his knowledge, passion and insight, he worked alongside Bertrand Russell counted G.K. Chesterton a friend and received an obituary in The Times. Yet the discovery of hundreds of secret letters and diaries of three women shattered the image. These documents - many quoted in this account - show in often explicit detail that, as a husband and father of seven (including the author's mother), he had love affairs with members of his congregation. Just how much did his family know? Those who love a charismatic maverick, students of twentieth century radicalism and questioning Christians generally will be richly entertained by this tale, described by Irish author Patrick Quigley as 'easily one of the best biographies I have ever read'.

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9781838447700

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Reviews

'Grabs the reader forcefully' The London Magazine 'Assiduously researched ... entertaining' The Tablet 'Easily one of the best biographies I've ever read. This is a remarkable book with an incredible story to tell.' Patrick Quigley, author of Sisters Against the Empire 'This beautifully written and somewhat unconventional biography of an unorthodox character has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader riveted. A cracking read.' Jennifer Barclay, author of Wild Abandon 'A remarkable book, the story of a life less ordinary, and the journey of a grandson to tell it. Nurden not only vividly evokes the many identities of his grandfather, he also weaves this story into a tapestry of historical movements of the first half of the 20th century. Absorbing.' Mark Gorman, author of Saving the People's Forest 'Nurden sits you down, makes you comfortable and spins an enthralling tale. Cowboy, hobo and preacher, the Rev James shines in the light of his grandson's level gaze.' Richard C. McNeff, author of The Dream of Boris 'For anyone interested in a restless, questioning, spiritual mind at the turn of the 20th century, this is an amazing read. It raises still relevant questions about the power of a male authority figure over a group of women. Brilliant.' Tierl Thompson, author of Dear Girl 'An intriguing biography in which a grandson seeks to understand what drove his grandfather from cowboy and tramp to preacher. The result? An extraordinary spiritual thriller.' Pushpinder Khaneka, author of Read the World

'Grabs the reader forcefully' The London Magazine 'Assiduously researched ... entertaining' The Tablet 'Easily one of the best biographies I've ever read. This is a remarkable book with an incredible story to tell.' Patrick Quigley, author of Sisters Against the Empire 'This beautifully written and somewhat unconventional biography of an unorthodox character has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader riveted. A cracking read.' Jennifer Barclay, author of Wild Abandon 'A remarkable book, the story of a life less ordinary, and the journey of a grandson to tell it. Nurden not only vividly evokes the many identities of his grandfather, he also weaves this story into a tapestry of historical movements of the first half of the 20th century. Absorbing.' Mark Gorman, author of Saving the People's Forest 'Nurden sits you down, makes you comfortable and spins an enthralling tale. Cowboy, hobo and preacher, the Rev James shines in the light of his grandson's level gaze.' Richard C. McNeff, author of The Dream of Boris 'For anyone interested in a restless, questioning, spiritual mind at the turn of the 20th century, this is an amazing read. It raises still relevant questions about the power of a male authority figure over a group of women. Brilliant.' Tierl Thompson, author of Dear Girl 'An intriguing biography in which a grandson seeks to understand what drove his grandfather from cowboy and tramp to preacher. The result? An extraordinary spiritual thriller.' Pushpinder Khaneka, author of Read the World

Author Information

Robert Nurden is a writer and professional journalist who spent 30 years as a feature writer and sub-editor on a number of broadsheet newspapers. He always hankered after the big project and found it by writing 'Between Heaven and Earth', the biography of his unorthodox grandfather - cowboy-turned-socialist-turned-preacher. He regularly gives presentations based on his book to U3A groups, WIs and local history societies. A lover of non-fiction writing and gardening, Robert lives in east London, not far from where his relative was a minister. Visit him at www.robertnurden.com and @robertnurden.

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