The Thunderer

The Thunderer: The Life and Times of John Walter II by Christopher McKane is a comprehensive biography of John Walter II (1776–1847), the transformative proprietor of The Times, interwoven with a vivid depiction of the early 19th-century British social and political landscape. Published in 2019 by Phillimore Book Publishing, the book details Walter’s 44-year leadership, including his pioneering introduction of steam-powered printing presses, and frames his legacy within a period of significant upheaval. Authored by McKane, a former Times journalist and Past Master Stationer, it is available on Amazon.co.uk, AbeBooks, Foyles, and through The Stationers’ Company.