* The first collection to explore the contribution that geographical thinking can make to our understanding of modern Britain. * Contains thirteen essays by leading scholars in the geography and history of twentieth--century Britain. * Focuses on how and why geographies of Britain have formed and changed over the past century.

Series Editors' Preface. Acknowledgements. List of Contributors. 1. Historical Geographies Of British Modernity: Brian Short, David Gilbert And David Matless (University Of Sussex; Royal Holloway, University Of London; University Of Nottingham). Part I: Surveying British Modernity:. 2. A Century Of Progress? Inequalities In British Society 1901-2000: Danny Dorling (University Of Leeds). 3. The Conservative Century? Geography And Conservative Electoral Success During The Twentieth Century: Ron Johnston, Charles Pattie, Danny Dorling And David Rossiter (University Of Bristol; University Of Sheffield; University Of Leeds; University Of Leeds). 4. Mobility In The Twentieth Century: Substituting Commuting For Migration? Colin G. Pooley (Lancaster University). 5. Qualifying The Evidence - Perceptions Of Rural Change In Britain In The Second Half Of The Twentieth Century: Alun Howkins (University Of Sussex). Part II: Sites Of British Modernity:. 6. ‘A Power For Good Or Evil’: Geographies Of The M1 In Late-Fifties Britain: Peter Merriman (University Of Reading). 7. A New England: Landscape, Exhibition And Remaking Industrial Space In The 1930s: Denis Linehan (University College, Cork). 8. A Man’s World? Masculinity And Metropolitan Modernity At Simpson Piccadilly: Bronwen Edwards (London College Of Fashion, London Institute). 9. Mosques, Temples And Gurdwaras: New Sites Of Religion In Twentieth-Century Britain: Simon Naylor And James R. Ryan (University Of Bristol; Queen’s University, Belfast). Part III: Geography, Nation, Identity:. 10. ‘Stop Being So English’: Suburban Modernity And National Identity In The Twentieth Century: David Gilbert And Rebecca Preston (Royal Holloway, University Of London; Royal College Of Art). 11. Nation, Empire And Cosmopolis: Ireland And The Break With Britain: Gerry Kearns (University Of Cambridge). 12. British Geographical Representations Of Imperialism And Colonial Development In The Early And Mid-Twentieth Century: Robin A. Butlin (University Of Leeds). Afterword: Emblematic Landscapes of the British Modern: David Matless, Brian Short and David Gilbert. Index

Britain and Britishness have been the subject of intense debate in recent years. This volume brings together leading scholars in the geography and history of twentieth-century Britain to illustrate the contribution that geographical thinking can make to understanding Britain today. The book is the first collection of its kind and focuses on how and why geographies of Britain have formed and changed over the past century. Its twelve contributions, which range over economic, political, social and cultural geography, explore the relevance of spatial and historical approaches to understanding societal change in Britain. The volume begins with a substantial introductory essay from the editor, and concludes with an Afterword exploring avenues for further research and modes of understanding through which future change might be understood. Taken as a whole, the book demonstrates the vitality of work in this field and its relevance to everyday life.