Few English writers have produced as many books as J.B. Priestley , and probably none of the writers who could match him volume for volume have written in so many forms. Priestley wrote more than a hundred books; his works include essays, drama, literary criticism, travel, autobiography, radio talks, radio and television dramas, films, poetry, long novels, short stories, children's stories, and even an opera libretto. Although he is not known as a mystery writer, he did turn his hand to that medium as well.

John Boynton Priestley was born in the wool district of Bradford, Yorkshire. His father, Jonathan Priestley, a Baptist and liberal socialist, was headmaster of the Bradford School. At sixteen Priestley left that school to become a clerk in the wool business and to write essays and articles for local newspapers. In 1914, when he was twenty, his solid provincial life was interrupted by World...