The Complete Henry Root Letters

by William Donaldson

This single volume brings together "The Henry Root Letters" and "The Further Letters of Henry Root". It consists of real correspondence between an apparently wealthy and eccentric retired fish-merchant, and many public figures to whom he wrote, requesting support for bizarre right-wing proposals.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2001

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book of letters is enormously entertaining, I think it might best be appreciated by Brits who are familiar with the life and times and public figures of England in 1979; I abandoned the book about halfway through only because I am not.

[Mark Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun reading about a retired Enlish mischief maker, William Donaldson, who sends prank letters under the name Henry Root to public figures and publishes the responses. One great line he sends as a riposte to a London Times assistant editor: "I want to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey."

[Nom de Plume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bathroom reading... You can open any page at random for a good chuckle.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious and very English way to deride and prick the pomposity of public figures. The original.

[Bobby Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

These letters are like the spoof articles in Private Eye, in that they represent a hilarious and very British satirical humour.