Reviewed by Wayne John Sturgeon

Confessions of a Radical Traditionalistis a collection of essays on a wide range of subjects carefully selected and compiled by the acclaimed writer on all things esoteric and metaphysical Jocelyn Godwin who also writes the introduction, the essays having originally been published in the monthly magazine The Oldie. The essays themselves have been written by English author and expert on Earth mysteries John Michell who describes himself as a Philosopher very much in the ancient Platonic tradition. His previous writings have included celebrated works on the lost wisdom and sacred geometry contained within the British landscape, at sites like Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and how these co-relate through ley-lines. But John Mitchell also relates his Philosophy to politics and has been a keen activist against the EU's overthrowing of our ancient weights and measures through the Anti-metrication Board. He defends traditionalist Islam against liberal; atheistic, secular materialism and he see the evils of usury prevalent in Western society. At the same time he critiques any form of narrow, rigid fundamentalism. He is pro-hunting on libertarian grounds. He also favours New Age travelers, free festivals and legalisation of certain drugs for spiritual experimentation and recreation.

He writes against the 'cool Britannia' of Blair but in favour of the Albion of William Blake complete with Druid rituals, Morrismen, English common law, a respect for all things green and environmentalist coupled with a radical anti-State viewpoint. Writing of Yeats: "an inequality made law" Michell reflects that this should be interpreted in the context of "the freedom to be in every sphere of life being truly and comfortably what one is without fear of harm or exploitation." He advocates a form of compulsory National Service but one not based on military service but social (grounded in spiritual discipline).

Michell is a man who would be at home taking tea with the Queen (he is a strong Monarchist but refreshingly in the almost Anarchist or perhaps Chestertonian understanding of that term) as he would be sitting around a fire at a free festival smoking a pipe!

I strongly recommend this charming, witty and lucid book as the best expositions cover many urgent contemporary issues and offer inspiring, imaginative solutions. All within an all-embracing Philosophy.