Twentieth Century Britain Economic, Cultural and Social Change

Over the course of the twentieth century, British social conditions and expectations have improved significantly, as has economic performance. This work addresses the complexities of Britain's changing character, providing an accessible introduction to the economic and social development of modern Britain.

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 Britain’s 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
• Britain’s 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, Germanyand Italysince 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)