The Middle Class: A History

James, Lawrence

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349115435 ISBN 13: 9780349115436

Publisher: Abacus, 2008

This is the enthralling story of the great powerhouse of British history - the middle class. The death of feudalism, the advancement of democracy, the spread of literacy, the industrial and sexual revolutions, the development of mass media - the middle class is never far away, drawing up petitions, pushing for change in attitude and legislation, engaging in philanthropy.

In this scholarly and hugely entertaining account, Lawrence James brings to life the stories of churchmen and charity-workers, lawyers and lobbyists to create an engaging and colourful social and political panorama. Richly textured and highly relevant, this is narrative history at its best.

Review:

Those who buy this book will find something to intrigue them on almost every page (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)

Readable and full of fascinating quotations and figures (LITERARY REVIEW)

James is a well-informed guide to the past, conducting us on a tour from Chaucer to Thatcher. He has a sharp eye for detail (INDEPENDENT)

[A] magisterial, sweeping new history of the middle class in Britain . . . Amirable (HERALD)

Book Description:

A compelling and entertaining history of the British middle class by the bestselling author of THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, RAJ and WARRIOR RACE.