A Dirty, Filthy Book: Sex, Scandal, and One Woman’s Fight in the Victorian Trial of the Century

In 1877, Annie Besant and Charles Bradlaugh were on trial for publishing and selling a birth control pamphlet, forty-five years before the first woman was admitted to the English bar. Annie's defiant voice scandalized newspapers and sparked a debate over morals, censorship, and sex. The trial scandalized newspapers, captivated the British public, and sparked a debate over morals, censorship, and sex.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

In 1877, a young woman named Annie Besant stood before an all-male jury in London, ready to risk everything for a cause she believed in. She took a deep breath and began her defense, despite the remarkable fact that she was forty-five years before the first woman would be admitted to the English bar. Before Britain's highest judge, Annie proclaimed that it was a woman's right to choose when and if to have children, a defiant statement at a time when women were legally and socially subservient to men.

Her audacious voice shook the nation, scandalizing newspapers and captivating the British public. The trial sparked a heated debate over morals, censorship, and sex, as Annie's defiance challenged the established norms of the time.

To uncover the story of this forgotten pioneer, A Dirty, Filthy Book delves into unpublished archives, private papers, and courtroom transcripts. The film features an incredible cast, including Queen Victoria, George Bernard Shaw, and the vibrant city of London itself. Through their experiences, the film paints a vivid portrait of Annie Besant's life and her unwavering resistance against the Establishment's expectations.

Annie Besant was a visionary and a trailblazer, a woman who refused to be confined by the societal norms of her time. She fought for women's rights, socialism, and religious freedom, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists and feminists. Despite facing opposition and persecution, Annie remained steadfast in her beliefs and her commitment to making a difference in the world.

Her trial was a landmark event in the history of women's rights, and it paved the way for future generations to fight for their rights and equality. Annie Besant's story is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and the pursuit of a better world.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780753559925