Rosemary Ashton charts the fortunes of German exiles who came to Britain around the middle of the last century, seeking refuge from political repression in their own coutry. They included in their number Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and they held in common the belief in and search for political freedom. The views of this disparate group on English liberties and restraints, fairness and prejudice, tolerance and tradition in matters of politics, religion, class and sexual relations offer a valuable insight into Victorian Britain. Rosemary Ashton is also the author of "The German Idea: Four English Writers and the Reception of German Thought 1800-1960" and "George Eliot" in the Past Masters series.