Book

Griffin, Emma.

Liberty's dawn : a people's history of the Industrial Revolution / Emma Griffin.

New Haven : Yale University Press, [2013]

2013

x, 303 pages ; 24 cm

This book looks at hundreds of autobiographies penned between 1760 and 1900 to offer a first-hand account of how the Industrial Revolution was experienced by the working class. The Industrial Revolution brought not simply misery and poverty. On the contrary, Griffin shows how it raised incomes, improved literacy, and offered exciting opportunities for political action. For many, this was a period of new, and much valued, sexual and cultural freedom. This personal account focuses on the social impact of the Industrial Revolution, rather than its economic and political histories.

Working class -- Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century.

Industrial revolution -- Social aspects -- Great Britain.

Industrialization -- Great Britain -- History.

Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century.

Great Britain -- Economic conditions -- 19th century.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 281-295) and index.

Introduction: 'A simple naritive' -- Men at work -- Suffer little children -- Women, work and the cares of home -- A brand new wife and an empty pocket -- Naughty tricks on the bed -- Education -- Gospel Times -- Sons of freedom -- Conclusion.

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9780300151800

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9780300205251

0300205252

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338.0941 Griffin