This superb evocation of British life in the middle 40 years of
Victoria's reign maintains the very high standard set by the first
two volumes of the new Oxford History of England series. Professor
Hoppen weaves together political, economic social and cultural
developments into a powerful and sophisticated narrative for which
there is no rival. This book goes well beyond the scope of the old
Oxford History in considering themes such as emerging national
identities in the constituent parts of the United Kingdom within
the context of an ever growing unitary state, and also in giving
detailed treatment to the religious, artistic and intellectual
expression which defined the age. This is a must. (Kirkus UK)
This, the third volume to appear in the New Oxford History of England, covers the period from the repeal of the Corn Laws to the dramatic failure of Gladstone's first Home Rule Bill. In his magisterial study of the mid-Victorian generation, Theodore Hoppen identifies three defining themes.
The first he calls `established industrialism' - the growing acceptance that factory life and manufacturing had come to stay. It was during these four decades that the balance of employment shifted irrevocably. For the first time in history, more people were employed in industry than worked on the land.
The second concerns the `multiple national identities' of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom. Dr Hoppen's study of the histories of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Empire reveals the existence of a variety of particular and overlapping national traditions flourishing alongside the increasingly influential structure of the unitary state.
The third defining theme is that of `interlocking spheres' which the author uses to illuminate the formation of public culture in the period. This, he argues, was generated not by a series of influences operating independently from each other, but by a variety of intermeshed political, economic, scientific, literary and artistic developments.
This original and authoritative book will define these pivotal forty years in British history for the next generation.
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