How We Built Britain - Hardcover

Dimbleby, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0747588716 ISBN 13: 9780747588719

Publisher: Bloomsbury, 2007

Synopsis

This is the story of Britain told through its buildings and the people who built them. Join David Dimbleby on his colourful chronological journey through the nation's architectural landscape: to towering fortresses, timber-framed barns, magnificent palaces, railway viaducts, music halls, suburban homes and tower blocks. He climbs to the top of the light-flooded Ely Cathedral, a looming vision of Norman conquest and domination; he explores Harvington Hall in Worcestershire, riddled with hidden passages to conceal Catholic priests; he delves into Manchester's network of sewers, constructed to flush away the polluted waters of disease; and he takes a quizzical look at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the symbol of devolution.Tying in with the hit BBC1 series and generously illustrated with specially commissioned colour photography and over 100 historic images, this book reveals how these structures originated in the experiences and beliefs of the British people, and how they hold the key to who we are.

About this title

About the Author:

David Dimbleby joined the BBC as a news reporter in Bristol in the 1960s and is now a major presenter of current affairs programmes and documentaries, having presented Panorama, The Dimbleby Talk-In, Question Time and the BBC's general election programmes. He is the author of A Picture of Britain.

Review:

'A lively, literate and stimulating tour' Spectator 'Meticulously researched and stunningly illustrated ... fascinating and authoritative' City Magazine 'A thoroughly enjoyable and worthily Betjemanesque book' Sunday Express 'He is perfect for this gig - a broad history of our buildings and what they say about us' New Statesman

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0747588716
• ISBN 13: 9780747588719
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288