How to Read Industrial Britain - Hardcover

Cooper, Tim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0091929989 ISBN 13: 9780091929985

Publisher: Ebury Press, 2011

Synopsis

From steam engines and suspension bridges to canals, factories and pubs, the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries transformed the social and material landscape of Britain. Yet how many of us know why our local pub looks the way it does or why a railway station might resemble a cathedral? This book reveals how, by 'reading' buildings, structures and townscapes, we can understand their context and significance for the society that created them. Author Tim Cooper uses themes including transport, education and religion to show how the geographical and architectural remains of industrial Britain have shaped us as a people. He sheds light on how and why the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution redesigned our towns and countryside, and draws on a wealth of British sites to explain, for instance, how canals were instrumental in the expansion of industry, or why affluent suburbs are usually situated in the west end of a town. This book is a joy for anyone wanting to investigate our industrial heritage and discover the secret history behind familiar, everyday features of our urban and rural landscapes.

About this title

About the Author

Tim Cooper taught history and archaeology at Sheffield, Manchester and Hull universities before turning to freelance research and writing in 2000. He holds an honorary research fellowship in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield. He also writes for television and has been involved in a number of award-winning historical documentary/dramas. He lives in Sheffield with his wife and two children.

From the Back Cover

The Industrial Revolution left Britain with an unrivalled legacy of remarkable buildings, treasured countryside landmarks and a rich tapestry of mechanical relics, yet how many of us are able to interpret their purpose or origin?

How to Read Industrial Britain explains:
- the historical significance of the Industrial Revolution
- where to look for evidence of the industrial heritage that is all around us
- how to 'read' the symbolic architecture of industrialisation - from canals to factories and mills to railways

This absorbing book provides a fascinating guide to our unique heritage and to understanding its visible remains.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ebury Press
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0091929989
• ISBN 13: 9780091929985
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208