The Victorian World Picture: Perceptions and Introspections in an Age of Change

by David Newsome

When did the Victorians come to regard themselves as "Victorians" and to use that term to describe the period in which they were living? David Newsome's monumental history takes a good, long look at the Victorian age and what distinguishes it so prominently in the history of both England and the world. The Victorian World Picture presents a vivid canvas of the Victorians as they saw themselves and as the rest of the world saw them. The Victorian era was a time of unprecedented population growth and massive industrialization. Darwinian theory shook people's religious beliefs and foreign competition threatened industry and agriculture. The transformation of this nineteenth-century world was overhwelming, pervading the social, cultural, intellectual, economic, and political spheres. By the time of the Great Exhibition in 1851, the British were calling themselves Victorians and Prince Albert was able to proclaim, "We are living at a period of most wonderful transition." David Newsome weaves all these strands of Victorian life into a compelling evocation of the spirit of a fascinating time that laid the foundation for the modern age.

Genres: History

310 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Adrian]

This book details the components that made the Victorian era in Britain so productive economically and intellectually. It starts with the industrial revolution which gave England a headstart on modernization. The mix of attitudes unique to the time were: optimism in the future, a strict moral code, and years of peace. Brits also had a talent for amateur genius in science (Darwin), industry (Stephenson)and government (Gladstone) until the era of professionalism and specialization in Germany and the US took over. More could have been said in here about the advent of good works and sport since most of what exists today in these fields started then. Still you can't cover everything in 260 pages. Well done.

[Christina Dudley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and interesting history of Victorian times, including politics, industry, labor, religion, education, etc. etc. I confess to skimming some parts, especially politics, which make my eyes glaze over, but this was generally helpful and more conversational than your typical older history book.