The House Of Friends

The House of my Friends is the nearest Eric James will get to an autobiography.

He left school -in Dagenham, Essex- at fourteen, when the Second World War broke out, and went to work for seven years at a riverside wharf on the Thames where the Globe Theatre now stands. After ordination, he became chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge, and thereby became associated with some of the most famous and influential clerics of his generation; Mervyn Stockwood, John Robinson (author of the bestseller Honest to God), Robert Runcie and Trevor Huddleston. James was made chaplain to H.M. the Queen in 1984 and was preacher to Gray’s Inn from 1978-97, as well as Director of Christian Action from 1979-90 and one of the people who inspired faith in the City. James is now fellow of King’s College London where he began his studies, at night school, in 1945.

The roll call of people that Eric James writes about is astounding, always with wit and perception. He has broadcast regularly to millions of listeners on the BBC’s Thought for the Day programme, and his strong social conscience breathes through the pages of this book.

Eric James is the author of a dozen other books including the highly praised biography of Bishop John A.T. Robinson. His latest book is the self-portrait of a wise and much loved pastor.