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How to Read Industrial Britain

From steam engines and suspension bridges to canals, factories and pubs, the Industrial Revolution transformed the society of the late 18th century and changed the material landscape of Britain. Yet how many of us know why our local pub looks the way it does or why our local railway station might be designed like a cathedral? This book reveals how, by 'reading' artefacts, sites or townscapes, we can understand their context and what they meant to the society that created them. Drawing on dozens of famous as well as lesser known examples of British sites and buildings, the author matches the physical remains of the recent past to the story of who we are, explaining why canals were instrumental to the expansion of industry or why affluent suburbs were usually situated at the west end of a town while the slums were at the east end. Chapters are arranged thematically, covering power, manufacture, transport, education and religion. Richly illustrated with fascinating photographs and drawings, this book is a joy for anyone wanting to investigate our industrial heritage and discover the intriguing history behind the characteristics of our material culture.