The name John Howard (1726-1790) is well-known as that of the man after whom the UK's oldest penal reform charity, the Howard League, is named. Tessa West's new book breaks fresh ground in looking at both Howard's immense legacy in terms of prison reform as well as his fascinating character and personal life. Based on extensive research it provides a vivid and intriguing picture of the man and his times which will be of interest to a wide range of readers interested in knowing what drove so singular a figure. John Howard's curiosity in prisons goes without saying, as his own writings show, including his iconic The State of the Prisons in England and Wales. As a self-appointed inspector of prisons - and in that sense the first to carry out such a task - Howard would knock on the door of penal establishments across the UK and in other countries - often unannounced or invited - where once inside he would observe, listen and make copious records of events behind prison walls. And he was a curious fellow altogether. Amongst the diverse epithets applied to him are: extraordinary, indefatigable, restless, benevolent, solid, selfless, charismatic, eccentric, obsessive, energetic, modest and above all singular. Forever concerned with minutiae, not without friends but lacking close social contacts or time for admiration, the workaholic Howard frequently travelled alone and in dangerous places for months on end. Permanently on the move and forever retracing his steps, he was equally at home in Russia, Germany, Holland and other countries as he was when carrying out his carefully planned routines in Bedford, Warrington, Cambridge or London. A perfectionist with a huge personal reputation he brought his influence, genius and philanthropy to bear wherever he went.

'No-one who reads this wonderful book could dispute that Howard ranks among the most interesting people of his age': Times Literary Supplement. 'A brilliant book which everyone should have on their Xmas list': Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons 'A riveting account of the great penal reformer, this humane, obsessive, guilt-ridden, lonely dissenter, indeed the "curious Mr Howard"': guardian.co.uk (click for full review) 'An excellent account, well worth reading. Recommended': Bedford Architectural Archaeological & Local History Society 'Impeccably researched and fascinating': Professor David Wilson, Centre for Applied Criminology Birmingham City University 'A remarkable book about a remarkable man': Sir Louis Blom-Cooper QC. 'A much better picture of penal reformer John Howard than I had believed possible': Dick Whitfield, trustee and former chair of the Howard League 'This book is a timely reminder of the dreams that inspired one man many years ago, and a reminder that we need John Howard as much or more today': Clive Stafford-Smith (from the Foreword)

Tessa West has worked in prisons and on prison-related matters for many years. While head of a prison education department she was awarded a Cropwood Fellowship at the Institute of Criminology in Cambridge. Among other things, she worked for the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Department in Vienna and was an independent member of the Parole Board. In respect of The Curious Mr Howard she was given the Arthur Welton Award which enabled her to carry out research in Ukraine (where John Howard died). She is the author of Prisons of Promise (Waterside Press, 1997) and three novels.