Austerity Britain, 1945-1951

David Kynaston

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English

Bloomsbury US
01 November 2008

History; British & Irish history; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000; Social & cultural history; Sociology & anthropology; Politics & government

This edition collects both volumes of Austerity Britain together for the first time

‘This is a classic; buy at least three copies - one for yourself and two to give to friends and family' Guardian

The first book in the groundbreaking series that tells the story of Britain from VE Day in 1945 to the coming of Margaret Thatcher in 1979 as never before

Coursing through Austerity Britain is an astonishing variety of voices - vivid, unselfconscious, and unaware of what the future holds. A Chingford housewife endures the tribulations of rationing; a retired schoolteacher observes during a royal visit how well-fed the Queen looks; a pernickety civil servant in Bristol is oblivious to anyone's troubles but his own. An array of working-class witnesses describe how life in post-war Britain is, with little regard for liberal niceties or the feelings of their ‘betters'.

Many of these voices will stay with the reader in future volumes, jostling alongside well-known figures like John Arlott (here making his first radio broadcast, still in police uniform), Glenda Jackson (taking the 11+) and Doris Lessing, newly arrived from Africa, struck by the levelling poverty of postwar Britain.

David Kynaston weaves a sophisticated narrative of how the victorious 1945 Labour government shaped the political, economic and social landscape for the next three decades. Deeply researched, often amusing and always intensely entertaining and readable, the first volume of David Kynaston's ambitious history offers an entirely fresh perspective on Britain during those six momentous years.

By: David Kynaston
Imprint: Bloomsbury US
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 44mm
Weight: 532g
ISBN: 9780747599234
ISBN 10: 0747599238
Pages: 704
Publication Date: 01 November 2008
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Other merchandise
Publisher's Status: Active

Author Website: http://www.bloomsbury.com/Authors/details.aspx?tpid=2758

David Kynaston was born in Aldershot in 1951. He has been a professional historian since 1973 and has written fifteen books, including The City of London (1994-2001), a widely acclaimed four-volume history, and W.G.'s Birthday Party, an account of the Gentleman vs. the Players at Lord's in July 1898. He is currently a visiting professor at Kingston University.

Reviews for Austerity Britain, 1945-1951

'This is a classic; buy at least three copies - one for yourself and two to give to friends and family' John Charmley, Guardian 'The book is a marvel ... the fullest, deepest and most balanced history of our times' Sunday Telegraph 'What a treat we have in store *****' Craig Brown's Book of the Week, Mail on Sunday 'A wonderfully illuminating picture of the way we were' Roy Hattersley, The Times