Routledge The Routledge Companion to Britain in the Twentieth Century

The Routledge Companion to Twentieth-Century Britain is a jargon-free guide to the social, economic and political history of Britain since 1900. Opening with a general introduction and overview of twentieth century Britain, the book contains a wealth of chronologies, facts and figures, introductions to major themes, the historiography of twentieth century Britain, a guide to sources and resources, biographies of the most important figures and a dictionary of key terms, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to this key period of change and development in this most urban of nations. From the outbreak of World War One, to the introduction of the NHS, to the first television set, this book covers in detail some of the most important events that shaped twentieth-century Britain. Topics discussed include: class: the working and middle classes gender: women’s history ethnicity: immigration and the idea of multicultural Britain social policy: poverty and welfare economic paradox: decline and affluence economic change: manufacturing and services popular culture: music, fashion, sports, screen liberalisation: Victorian Values and permissiveness political parties: the major and minor parties governments: achievements and problems the wider world: Ireland; decolonization; European integration. Packed with useful information, this guide will be an indispensable reference tool for all those seeking an introduction to twentieth century British history. Review '...a book that does, taken as a whole, succeed in its aim of enlightening the uninitiated reader about the main aspects of an eventful century of British history.' – Reference Reviews "Mark Clapham has entered a very crowded field. There are plenty of excellent guides, companions and dictionaries to British history in general... He has nevertheless produced a thoroughly interesting and worthwhile volume... His 'Narrative Overview' of the century is particularly welcome, for both beginners and more experienced students, and he includes a fascinating section on the historiography of the period...But how refreshing to see a work of reference that includes British Sitcoms, Led Zeppelin and Contraception, alongside more standard fare." – History Review, UK "Mark Clapham has entered a very crowded field. There are plenty of excellent guides, companions and dictionaries to British history in general... He has nevertheless produced a thoroughly interesting and worthwhile volume... His 'Narrative Overview' of the century is particularly welcome, for both beginners and more experienced students, and he includes a fascinating section on the historiography of the period...But how refreshing to see a work of reference that includes British Sitcoms, Led Zeppelin and Contraception, alongside more standard fare." –History Review, UK About the Author Mark Clapson is Reader in History at the University of Westminster.