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.
- ‘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
- 'An Enchanting compendium' TLS
Paperback:
£14.99
Published 06/03/2008