Product Description

Ross McKibbin investigates the ways in which `class culture' characterized English society, and intruded into every aspect of life, during the period from 1918 to the mid-1950s. He demonstrates the influence of social class within the mini 'cultures' which together constitute society: families and family life, friends and neighbours, the workplace, schools and colleges, religion, sexuality, sport, music, film, and radio. Dr McKibbin considers the ways in which language was used (both spoken and written) to define one's social grouping, and how far changes occurred to language and culture more generally as a result of increasing American influence. He assesses the role of status and authority in English society, the social significance of the monarchy and the upper classes, the opportunities for social mobility, and the social and ideological foundations of English politics. In this fascinating study, Ross McKibbin exposes the fundamental structures and belief systems which underpinned English society in the first half of the twentieth century.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #695836 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 576 pages

Review
.,."a brilliantly written, deeply subtle critique of social classes and cultural attitudes from the Armistice to the Festival of Britain....[McKibbin] has deconstructed the essence of a great people, with skill and an Australian's wry detachment."--The Guardian

From the Publisher
Reviews from Socialist Review, New Statesman & TLS.
`the implications of class culture for the period have never been spelled out so throroughly. The strength of this book lies in its detailed description of how class and culture interacted.' Harold L.Smith, American Historical Rev., Apr. 2000.

`Ross McKibbin is one of the leading historians of twentieth century Britain. His work is an important reference point for those who wish to fully understand British politics and society in the first five decades or so of this century ... McKibbin presents his material well.' Contemporary British History, Vol.13, No.3, 1999.

`McKibbin is excellent on matters as diverse as "ribbon development" in interwar housing, the different forms of male and female sociability in the working class, the impact of Hollywood films, the nature and appeal of betting, and much else besides.' Stefan Collini, TLS website

`There is much that is interesting in McKibbin's book; he has thought deeply about his subject and knows it intimately; his references are drawn from an impressively wide and rich cultural field.' Philip Ziegler, Daily Telegraph

`fascinating new work ... It is a vividly detailed, highly readable account of the actual cultures of the classes ... McKibbin is fascinating and informative on home ownership.' Bernard Crick, Independent Saturday Magazine

`important study ... Every page of this book scintillates, combining high scholarship, understated argument and droll humour.' Ben Pimlott, New Statesman & Society

`...a detailed, thorough, well written and full account, which treats its subject fairly, and is well worth reading for anyone interested in the recent history of British culture and society.' Dave Renton. Socialist Review. October 1998.

`absorbing book ... McKibbin's is a compelling and stimulating analysis, full of fascinating detail shaped by the continuing relevance of the main themes, and impressive in the imagination and perception brought to the period. The style is characterstically trenchant and relentlessly analytical. The judgements on particular points of culture and social life are authoritative rather than derivative. It is written with humour, wit and sympathy; like some of the fiction he describes, the book is hard to put down. It is a splendid achievement.' R. C. Whiting, University of Leeds, EHR Sept 99

About the Author
Ross McKibbin is Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at St John's College, Oxford.

Customer Reviews

fascinating stuff
I discovered this book in the public library, and I’d borrowed it and read about a third before resolving to buy. So I’d decided it was a great read before buying it.

I was born in the late 40s, so the period the book deals with is that which shaped my parents lives, and from which echoes endured into my childhood – into the 60s really. Perhaps because of this, I found the book fascinating – a period so close to my own, about which I was pretty ignorant. And it’s well written.

Up to McKibbin's usual standards
Ross McKibbin has always been at his best rummaging around in the bars, betting shops and back alleys of British life that other historians find a little infra dig. Some might find his dissection of working-class life between the world wars too dry and lacking in imaginative sympathy, but on the other hand the sheer weight of evidence he amasses is impressive. He even finds space to suggest that the British film industry was better than Hollywood (what was so bad about "Mrs Miniver", if you please?). The major drawback of this book, actually, is that it has no pictures. Surely a social history of a period like this is simply crying out to have pages and pages of illustrations.