"Modern British History" is a comprehensive, thought-provoking survey of the events, people, and themes that make the British who they are, written by two of the country s leading scholars. In 200 essays, covering topics as diverse as pornography and the poll tax, the Blitz and New Labour, the authors explore the interwoven culture, society, politics, and economics of the recent past. Bombarded by information as never before, we all need to appreciate the extent to which seemingly disparate events interconnect. This essential AZ guide offers a consistent line of argument with a refreshing...

The period 1940-1960 was a time of considerable change in British society. It saw the emergence of mass democracy, a world war and then unprecedented affluence. Change brought uncertainty among Britain's elites, which in turn encouraged them to reflect more acutely on the direction the nation was taking. Questions were posed: what was the social role of ordinary men and women in 20th-century Britain? What were their needs, their rights, their responsibilities? How did they stand in relation not only to the State but to their regions and communities? And how were those objects of loyalty or...