Class: Image and Reality in Britain, France and the USA Since 1930

by Arthur Marwick

Class is an emotive subject, and never more so than today. It is part of the very fabric of our contemporary society and Professor Marwick's major historical study of the phenomenon is therefore of importance to anyone who is interested in the pattern of social and political life in recent years, particularly since it compares British experiences with those of France and the United States - two countries which, despite fashionable mythology, are also very class-conscious. Class is examined as it is actually understood by people rather than as presented by theorists and ideologues. His fascinating array of evidence - from academic writings; from official sources; from private letters; diaries and interviews; and from feature films, television and newspapers - vividly illustrates how significant class has been and still is in all three countries. This new thoroughly revised and considerably expanded edition takes account of recent research and developments and brings the analysis firmly up to the present day.

Paperback

Published June 30, 1983

About the author

Arthur John Brereton Marwick (1936-2006) was a Scottish social historian, who served for many years as Professor of History at the Open University. His research interests lay primarily in the history of Britain in the twentieth century, and the relationship between war and social change.

Reviews

[Winterwade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had the fortune of studying a history course presented by Professor Marwick, I am happy to report that this book contains the same level of perspicacious and valuable commentary.