"An enjoyable survey of historical antagonism, and a welcome alternative perspective on a flashpoint in the culture wars"
The Times Literary Supplement
"A remarkable work of history...If you want to understand
the statue debate, this is the book for you."
Aspects of History
"Innovative and compelling"
Robin Morgan, award-winning journalist and former
editor of the Sunday Times Magazine
When societies fracture into warring tribes, we demonise those who oppose us. We tear down our statues, forgetting that what begins with the destruction of statues, often leads to the killing of people.
A History of Love and Hate in 21 Statues blends history, philosophy and psychology in a compelling exploration of identity and power. This remarkable book spans every continent, religion and era, through the creation and destruction of 21statues from the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut and the Buddhas of Bamiyan to Mendelssohn, Joseph Stalin and Edward Colston.
Peter Hughes is a philosopher and also a member of the British Psychological Society. An expert in extremes of human behaviour, he has featured on the BBC, ABC Australia, numerous podcasts and more than 40 documentaries. He writes for publications including The Spectator, Quillette, The Huffington Post, Perspective Magazine and The New Statesman.
Peter has run shelters for the homeless and helped many people recover from self-destructive behaviours. He is also a successful entrepreneur.