The Forging of the Modern State: Early Industrial Britain, 1783-1870

In this history of Britain, Eric Evans surveys every aspect of the period in which the country was transformed into the world's first industrial power. It was an era of revolutionary change unparalleled in Britain, yet one in which transformation was achieved without political revolution. This combination of revolution and transition is a major theme of the book, which ranges across the embryonic empire, the Church, education, health, finance and rural and urban life, and gives particular attention to the Great Reform Act of 1832. An account of Britain's rise to superpower status, this third edition includes a new introductory chapter, and is illustrated.