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

by Eric J. Evans

In this hugely ambitious history of Britain, Eric Evans surveys every aspect of the period in which the country was transformed into the world’s first industrial power. This was an era of revolutionary change unparalleled in Britain, yet one in which transformation was achieved without political revolution. The unique combination of transition and revolution is a major theme in the book, which ranges across the embryonic empire, the Church, education, health, finance, and rural and urban life. Evans gives particular attention to the Great Reform Act of 1832. The Third Edition includes an entirely new introductory chapter, and is illustrated for the first time.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

626 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 1983

Reviews

[JD Newick]

Another old textbook from uni I dug up and thought I'd give a re-read. No idea why 1870 was chosen as the cutoff point... 1867, 1868, 1871 or 1873 are all far more significant years as far as the mid-Victorian era goes. Still, it's pretty informative and impressive in breadth if not in depth, not only for the bilbiography but particularly for the compendium of tables, graphs, timelines, etc that make up the appendices.

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry as an old stick in places. Read twice to properly understand - did I fall asleep the first time. Very informative though hence 3 stars!

[Cath Holden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow!

[Rob Markley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really gets to the heart of the matter - the world is changing into the modern and everything about the Napoleonic era must be understood in this context.