The Middle Class
A History
Published on 8. February 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
736 pages
978-0-349-14345-3 (ISBN)
Description
A compelling and entertaining history of the British middle class
'Wonderful' Financial Times
'A magisterial, sweeping history' Herald
'An enchanting compendium' TLS
'Full of fascinating quotations and figures' Literary Review
'A rollicking, affectionate romp' The Times
'Gripping and illuminating' Spectator
This is the story of the great powerhouse of British history - the middle class. The death of feudalism, the advancement of democracy, the spread of literacy, the coming of the industrial and sexual revolutions, the development of mass media - the middle class is never far away, pushing for change, engaging in philanthropy, while always mindful to protect its own interests.
In this account, renowned historian Lawrence James reveals a group so familiar to many of us yet so often
misunderstood - disparate and constantly changing, with a materialism and hunger for advancement that are a chronicle of Britain's evolution.
'Wonderful' Financial Times
'A magisterial, sweeping history' Herald
'An enchanting compendium' TLS
'Full of fascinating quotations and figures' Literary Review
'A rollicking, affectionate romp' The Times
'Gripping and illuminating' Spectator
This is the story of the great powerhouse of British history - the middle class. The death of feudalism, the advancement of democracy, the spread of literacy, the coming of the industrial and sexual revolutions, the development of mass media - the middle class is never far away, pushing for change, engaging in philanthropy, while always mindful to protect its own interests.
In this account, renowned historian Lawrence James reveals a group so familiar to many of us yet so often
misunderstood - disparate and constantly changing, with a materialism and hunger for advancement that are a chronicle of Britain's evolution.
Reviews / Votes
A magisterial, sweeping new history... Its strength lies not so much in its generalisations and conclusions as in its welter of colourful detail and insidious anecdote, mostly apposite * Herald * Wonderful... one of those volumes which should be buried in a time-capsule for the benefit of future civilisations * Financial Times * An enchanting compendium of the games the English play, and the anxieties, frictions and resentments engendered in the pursuit of status * TLS * Those who buy this book will find something to intrigue them on almost every page * Sunday Telegraph * James is a well-informed guide to that past, conducting us on a tour from Chaucer to Thatcher... He has a sharp eye for detail * Independent * Full of fascinating quotations and figures * Literary Review * A rollicking, affectionate romp through seven centuries that provokes much thought... well written and an enjoyable read * The Times * Gripping and illuminating... a celebration which is hugely overdue * Spectator * Our editor's favourite book of the season. Unputdownable * GQ * Scholarly yet entertaining * Scottish 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 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little, Brown Book Group
Illustrations
Section: 24
Dimensions
Height: 129 mm
Width: 197 mm
Thickness: 50 mm
Weight
488 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-349-14345-3 (9780349143453)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Lawrence James studied History and English at York University and subsequently undertook a research degree at Merton College, Oxford. Following a career as a teacher, he became a full-time writer in 1985 and is now regarded as one of the finest of narrative historians.