Description
Book SynopsisA Companion to Nineteenth-Century Britain presents 33 essays by expert scholars on all the major aspects of the political, social, economic and cultural history of Britain during the late Georgian and Victorian eras.
- Truly British, rather than English, in scope.
- Pays attention to the experiences of women as well as of men.
- Illustrated with maps and charts.
- Includes guides to further reading.
Trade Review"This book is an excellent companion... It is an ideal book for anyone interested in the history of the nineteenth century."
Reference Reviews
"This most recent addition to the ambitious Blackwell 'Companions' series in British history is thorough and up-to-date ... For scholars, it will become a well-thumbed historiographical source on their office shelves. Essential." Choice
A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year
“The Companions to British History…is [an] example of how organization has made a difference in terms of informing the wider public about serious history.”
H-Net Reviews
Table of ContentsList of Maps, Diagrams and Tables x
Contributors xi
Introduction 1
Chris Williams
Part I Britain and the World 15
1. Britain and the World Economy 17
Anthony Howe
2. Britain and the European Balance of Power 34
John R. Davis
3. Britain and Empire 53
Douglas M. Peers
4. The Armed Forces 79
Edward M. Spiers
Part II Politics and Government 93
5. The Monarchy and the House of Lords: The ‘Dignified’ Parts of the Constitution 95
William M. Kuhn
6. The State 110
Philip Harling
7. Political Leadership and Political Parties, 1800–46 125
Michael J. Turner
8. Political Leadership and Political Parties, 1846–1900 140
Michael J. Turner
9. Parliamentary Reform and the Electorate 156
Michael S. Smith
10. Politics and Gender 174
Sarah Richardson
11. Political Thought 189
Gregory Claeys
Part III Economy and Society 203
12. Agriculture and Rural Society 205
Michael Winstanley
13. Industry and Transport 223
William J. Ashworth
14. Urbanization 238
Simon Gunn
15. The Family 253
Shani D’Cruze
16. Migration and Settlement 273
Ian Whyte
17. Standard of Living, Quality of Life 287
Jane Humphries
18. Class and the Classes 305
Martin Hewitt
19. Economic Thought 321
Noel Thompson
Part IV Society and Culture 335
20. Religion 337
Mark A. Smith
21. Literacy, Learning and Education 353
Philip Gardner
22. The Press and the Printed Word 369
Aled Jones
23. Crime, Policing and Punishment 381
Heather Shore
24. Popular Leisure and Sport 396
Andy Croll
25. Health and Medicine 412
Keir Waddington
26. Sexuality 430
Lesley A. Hall
27. The Arts 443
Patricia Pulham
28. The Sciences 457
Iwan Rhys Morus
Part V The United Kingdom 471
29. Politics in Ireland 473
Christine Kinealy
30. Economy and Society in Ireland 489
Christine Kinealy
31. Scotland 504
E. W. McFarland
32. Wales 521
Matthew Cragoe
33. British Identities 534
Chris Williams
Bibliography of Secondary Sources 553
Index 591
