How to Read Industrial Britain

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More About This Title How to Read Industrial Britain

English

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.

English

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.
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