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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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The Power and the Glory
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(1940) Novel by Graham *Greene which is the most powerful statement of his central concerns. It was inspired by his visit in 1937 to Mexico, where the Catholic Church was banned by a left-wing regime. The story balances two representative figures, both unnamed: a whisky-sodden priest, lustful father of a child, whose vocation somehow enables him to transcend his failings; and a lieutenant, a well-intentioned humanist, coolly dedicated to serving the best interests of the state. The priest reaches safety across the border, but is enticed back to give the last rites to a dying man and is cornered and executed by the lieutenant. The most unlikely of saints has suffered martyrdom.
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