This volume presents what has never been available before, a selection from Jonathan Swift’s prose, poetry, and letters that gives a real idea of the range of his writing over fifty years. Although many familiar pieces are included, the choice has not been confined to conventionally "literary" works: his effective political pamphlets are represented, as well as writing for the popular press and a sample of his correspondence.

          The individual pieces, with only two exceptions, are given complete, and uniquely, in chronological order, to show Swift’s ideas are developing as he met the challenges of a turbulent epoch now unjustly neglected. A succinct commentary helps the reader to enjoy the creative spirit of a man who attracted contemporaries by "a certain uncommon way of thinking", and a great world writer who has inspired, teased, and affronted posterity.