The Sinews of the Spirit: The Ideal of Christian Manliness in Victorian Literature and Religious ThoughtThis book provides a fresh perspective on nineteenth century life by examining the nature and context of 'Christian manliness' or 'muscular Christianity', an ideal of conduct that was widely popular with Victorian preachers and writers. It pays particular attention to Charles Kingsley (author of The Water Babies) and Thomas Hughes (author of Tom Brown's Schooldays). Dr Vance traces the origins of Christian manliness in the traditions of English