The Autobiography of a Nation: The 1951 Festival of Britain

by Becky E. Conekin, Christopher Breward (Series Editor), Bill Sherman (Series Editor)

The first full-length study on the 1951 Festival of Britain. An examination of how Britain and Britishness were portrayed in the 1951’s Festival’s exhibitions and events. Covers the Festival’s history and historiography, its purpose, its representations of the future and the past, the role of London and the ‘local’, the British Empire and finally its legacy.

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2003

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exhaustive and well-researched account of the Festival of Britain. The book goes into great detail about the execution and reaction to the events. However, it often feels like Conekin is assembling a list of events and details rather than present an argument as to the importance or relevance of the Festival historically and to present day Britain.

[Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more academic work on various topics to do with the famous 1951 Festival. The major divisions are time and place as well as a very good introduction.