Portillo's Hidden History of Britain

by Michael Portillo

Discover the hidden history of Britain through the stories of its 'lost' or abandoned places and buildings.

Portillo’s Secret History of Britain presents a compelling and wonderfully evocative history of Britain through the stories of its ‘lost’ or abandoned places and buildings. The chapters cover a variety of historical themes: Crime and Punishment, Health and Medicine, Defence and Warfare, and Entertainment and Leisure. Using a combination of his own investigations and archive research, plus memories and quotations from the contributors he interviewed for the series, Michael Portillo explains what the buildings were used for and by whom, why they were abandoned, and what they can tell us about our past.

For example:

– Learn what the ruins of London Road Fire and Police Station in Manchester reveal about the history of the emergency services in the last 100 years

– How Bradford’s art deco Odeon cinema encapsulates a century of film-making and movie-going

With evocative text that brings each location vividly to life, Michael Portillo describes the building and its activities in its heyday and compares this past life with its faded grandeur or melancholic abandonment seen today. Filled with fascinating insights and observations, his narrative provides a compelling and original perspective on Britain’s social and military history.

Portillo's Hidden History of Britain features deserted villages, abandoned prisons, closed-down cinemas, empty hospitals, derelict military bases, sewers and much more. Complementing the text are 16 pages of atmospheric and informative photographs.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel, British Literature, Audiobook

272 pages, Paperback

Published May 2, 2019

Reviews

[Chris Steeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I admit it. I do really like Portillo’s railway journeys programmes. Please don’t hold it against me. History and travel, travel and history. This book though is based on another programme he made that I have yet to see. There are only so many hours in the day.

In this he visits different places in an ‘…attempt to illustrate how we have developed as a nation in certain key areas, which I divide into four sections. These are ‘Crime and Emergency’ which looks at prisons and the work of firefighters and first responders; ‘Life and Death’, on the evolution of healthcare and much more; Defence of the Realm’, which examines top-secret installations and dramatizes the moment when the world stood on the brink of nuclear annihilation; and ‘People’s Pleasure Domes’, about, essentially, how we entertain and distract ourselves.’

This sounded like just the book for me. When I started it I thought that actually the TV programme would be better but as the book went on it was really quite good. I still want to see the show mind. He visits different buildings and speaks to the people that had been associated with that building. He provides historical context and some really interesting stories.

For me, I most enjoyed part 3 which was ‘Defence of the Realm’ looking at Imber Village, Orford Ness, the nuclear bunker in Cambridge and a Soviet sub that’s home is now the River Medway down in Kent.

I must say that the places chosen are not what you would expect but I guess that is a good thing. Not re-hashing the same old places. OK, I’m off to look to see if there is a stream of the programme. Hopefully it’s not too well hidden.

[Ming Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

British History presented in a very interesting way, plenty of this history was unknown to myself, there is allot of information packed within this books pages, I really enjoyed it, I never found it boring or dull, took one week to read this book, and learnt something new everyday from its pages. no editorial errors, good book structure throughout, nice book cover. If you like British history this book would be worth reading. Could be useful for any college or university strudents of history.

[Malcolm Balster · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can hear the authors voice throughout, and I imagine that a lot of this is a straight lift from the TV script. In terms of a history book, it barely scratches the surface, but it may stimulate your interest in doing some further research.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having caught the series occasionally on catch up, this was relatively familiar and equally enjoyable. Touching on locations as diverse as the London Hospital in Whitechapel to the West Pier in Brighton, Portillo takes us on a tour of fascinating buildings, the majority of which are currently being redeveloped for different purposes.
An easy and comparatively erudite read, this is an intriguing insight into parts of Britain that the majority of us never knew existed.

[ian maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

Was a fantastic book it felt like a narration and the facts where on point. I would read more by portillo.

[Vivienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have often enjoyed Michael Portillo's somewhat quirky documentary programs, in particular those about Britain's rail network. This book evokes very much the same atmosphere as the television programs and it is easy to hear Michael Portillo's voice speaking the narrative
It is divided into four sections: Crime and Emergency, Life and Death, Defence of the Realm and People's Pleasure Domes. All have interest and atmosphere and often include heart-warming personal stories. The section on Defence of the Realm was my least favourite, having rather too much detail, reflecting perhaps Portillo's personal interest as an ex Secretary of state for Defence but all evoke a feeling of reflection and memory of what the world used to be like. Especially good for those of us who love the people and history of Britain. ***

[Robert Ian Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting facts of hidden history

Have recently watched some of Michaels TV programs which I found very informative and interesting.
Decided to follow up with some of his published work, which has been enlightening and amusing.
Definitely recommend this publication as a good read,

[Stuart Dormer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to read

I think it a very good book to read and good about buildings and history in General and good to

[Sandra Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always makes history interesting for the layman. His enthusiasm spills out on the page. Really enjoyed this book

[Lara Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book exploring buildings which shape modern Britain. I particularly liked that the book blended the human and olitical.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, but docked one star for repeating the Brit canard that they are SO superior, vis-a-vis racism, to those awful Americans.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recall watching the TV series and enjoying the shows. Reading this book, reminded me of the stories that I had seen.

[Rachael Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy to read book. Interesting, yet presented in a relaxed conversational way.

[Kevin Sharpe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Superficial twaddle

[Sarah Dunsbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting,but too much war related,and reads just like audio description of the TV series

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and informative guide to some of Britain's hidden history. Really enjoyed the defence of the realm section.

[Grant Gurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, enjoyable and well written book.