Selections from the Observator (1681-1687)

In 'Selections from the Observator (1681-1687),' Roger Sir L'Estrange presents a compilation of his penetrating political commentary and exploration of the socio-political landscape of 17th-century England. Crafted with an eloquence that belies the turbulent era, L'Estrange's prose is imbued with the sharp wit and polemic insight characteristic of the period's pamphleteer tradition. The work's literary style is steeped in the restoration context, conceptually and literarily significant, offering readers a window into the ideological conflicts that shaped modern political discourse. As such, this compilation is not merely a collection of written observations but also a scholarly artifact, which provides invaluable context to the evolving literary forms of the time. Sir Roger L'Estrange, an enigmatic figure and stalwart of the Royalist faction, was no stranger to controversy and political strife, having lived through the tumultuous shifts in the English monarchy. His career as a journalist and licenser of the press for Charles II positioned him at the heart of political propaganda. The Observator, initially functioning as a weekly newspaper, served as his platform to defend the king's policies and to critique his adversaries. In producing these tracts, L'Estrange drew upon his own involvement in royalist politics and his firsthand experiences of civil war and restoration, imparting his work with a passionate and personal edge. The 'Selections from the Observator' is essential reading for scholars and enthusiasts of English literature and history. Its republication by DigiCat Publishing allows a new audience to appreciate the rhetorical flair and historical significance of L'Estrange's reflections. Whether one approaches this text to glean insights on the intricacies of Restoration era polemics, or to appreciate the development of journalistic style and free press advocacy, this text emerges as both an artifact of its time and a timeless commentary on the enduring clash between power and narrative control.