Synopses & Reviews
Reviews for the First Edition An absorbing book
.worth the attention of all those who teach and study modern British History an undergraduate and for A-level Andrew Thorpe, University of Exeter; The History Association
Twentieth Century Britain
is a fascinating study of economic, social and cultural changes in our century
.it is an excellent up-to-date introduction to changing Britain. Day by Day
I cannot praise this book highly enough for its breadth of scope and, above all, its sheer readability Ed Dixon, History Teaching Review
Blurb
Over the course of the twentieth century, British social conditions and expectations have improved significantly, as has economic performance. War and work, political and social movements, technological and cultural change have all played their part in creating the Britain of today.
Twentieth-Century Britain addresses the complexities of Britains changing character, providing an accessible and authoritative introduction to the economic and social development of modern Britain. The first edition, published in 1994, is the market leading textbook in the field; this new edition builds on research conducted in the intervening years. It now addresses the twentieth century as a whole, offering more material on the 1980s and 1990s and a close synthesis of the inter-relationship between the economic, social and cultural spheres.
This new edition retains the tripartite structure of the first edition created by Paul Johnson. While the spirit of the original publication remains the new edition has altered its focus and now includes a section covering the long 20th century as a whole, as well as essays addressing themes pre- and post-1945. New contributions from leading scholars cover a broad range of topics including:
- Class and gender
- Motoring and modernity
- War and national identity
- The trade unions
- Youth
- Britains changing status in the international economy
- Immigration, multiculturalism and racism
Highly informative and accessible, each chapter features text boxes focusing on specific issues raised and selections of further reading. Diagrams, tables and illustrations clarify textual arguments. The book provides an up-to-date, engaging introduction to modern British history, and is a valuable repository of ideas for both students and teachers.
Francesca Carnevali is Senior Lecturer in Economic History at Birmingham University. She has contributed to a number of volumes and is the author of Europe s Advantage: Banks and Small firms in Britain , France , Germany and Italy since 1918 (2005).
Dr. Julie-Marie Strange is Lecturer in Modern British History at Manchester University. She is author of numerous articles, and a monograph, Death, Grief and Poverty in Britain , c.1870-1914 (2005)
Review
Praise for the First Edition An absorbing book
.worth the attention of all those who teach and study modern British History an undergraduate and for A-level
Andrew Thorpe, University of Exeter; The History Association
Twentieth Century Britain
is a fascinating study of economic, social and cultural changes in our century
.it is an excellent up-to-date introduction to changing Britain.
Day by Day
I cannot praise this book highly enough for its breadth of scope and, above all, its sheer readability
Ed Dixon, History Teaching Review
"The book includes some fascinating essays. The essays on our economy pre - and post-1945 are particularly useful."
Will Podmore
Synopsis
Written by leading international scholars, Twentieth Century Britain investigates key moments, themes and identities in the past century. Engaging with cutting-edge research and debate, the essays in the volume combine discussion of the major issues currently preoccupying historians of the twentieth century with clear guidance on new directions in the theories and methodologies of modern British social, cultural and economic history. Divided into three, the first section of the book addresses key concepts historians use to think about the century, notably, class, gender and national identity. Organised chronologically, the book then explores topical thematic issues, such as multicultural Britain, religion and citizenship. Representing changes in the field, some chapters represent more recent fields of historical inquiry, such as modernity and sexuality.
Synopsis
Twentieth-Century Britain is an engaging introduction to modern British history. It provides an up-to-date study of economic, social and cultural changes in the last century.
- The new edition is entirely re-written to ensure it is completely up to date with current concerns and developments in the field
- Discusses subjects that are hot topics in the media at the moment, for example, consumerism, immigration and race relations, the role of the State
- Each chapter is written by a different expert, ensuring that all aspects of the subject are of the highest possible quality
- Offers a richly illustrated analysis of Twentieth Century Britain
About the Author
Paul Johnson is Reader in Social History, London School of Economics
Dr Julie-Marie Strange teaches at BirkbeckCollege, Universityof London
Table of Contents
1.Introduction Francesca Carnevali and Julie-Marie Strange
PART ONE The Long Twentieth Century
2.The British Economy Nicholas Crafts
3. Modernity and Modernism Harry Cocks
4. Class and Gender Stephen Brooke
5. Britains changing position in the international economy Catherine R. Schenk
6. War and national identity since 1914 Max Jones
PART TWO Themes Pre-1945
7. Suffrage and Citizenship Martin Pugh
8. Motoring and modernity Sean OConnell
9. The First World War and its aftermath Julian Greaves
10. Depression and recovery Christopher Price
11. Consumption, consumer credit cards and the diffusion of consumer durables Peter Scott
12. The role of the state: Taxation, citizenship and welfare reforms Martin Daunton
13. Leisure Julie-Marie Strange
14. Youth Penny Tinkler
PART THREE Themes Post-1945
15. Managing the economy, managing the people Jim Tomlinson
16. Immigration, multiculturalism and racism Panikos Panayi
17. The retreat of the state in the 1980s and 1990s Michael J. Oliver
18. Trade unions: Rise and decline Chris Wrigley
19. Sexuality Rebecca Jennings
20. Poverty and social exclusion Julie Rugg
21. Religion and secularization John Wolffe
22. Britain and Europe Neil Rollings
23. Education and opportunity Katherine Wilson