A Companion to Contemporary Britain 1939 – 2000

A Companion to Contemporary Britain covers the key themes and debates of twentieth–century history from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century. Comprising 30 essays written by leading international scholars, it provides readers with a single–volume reference to the varied perspectives dominating historical writing on this period. The volume opens with an assessment of the impact of war, before moving on to examine Britain’s continuing role in the wider world, particularly the legacy of Empire, Britain’s "special relationship" with the United States, and integration with continental Europe. Domestic politics, the economy, society, and popular culture are also covered, including such topics as class consciousness, immigration and race relations, changing gender roles, and the impact of the mass media. Where essays include discussion of the last years of the century, they often present the first assessment of recent developments from a self–consciously historical perspective.

List of Figures. List of Tables. Notes on Contributors. Introduction. 1. The Impact of the Second World War: Paul Addison (University of Edinburgh). 2. The Impact of the Cold War: Harriet Jones (University of London). 3. Population and the Family: Pat Thane (Institute of Historical Research, University of London). 4. Cities, Suburbs, Countryside: Mark Clapson (University of Westminster). 5. Class: Arthur Marwick (Open University). 6. Immigration and Racism: Wendy Webster (University of Central Lancaster). 7. Sport and Recreation: Richard Holt (De Montfort University). 8. Youth Culture: Bill Osgerby (London Metropolitan University). 9. Sexuality: Lesley A. Hall (Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, London, and University College London). 10. Economic ‘Decline’ in Post–war Britain: Jim Tomlinson (University of Dundee). 11. The Transformation of the Economy: Hugh Pemberton (University of Bristol). 12. The Geography of Economic Change: P. W. Daniels (University of Birmingham). 13. Living Standards and Consumption: Ina Zweiniger–Bargielowska (University of Illinois, Chicago). 14. Gender: Change and Continuity: Dolly Smith Wilson (Boston College, Massachusetts). 15. Welfare, Poverty and Social Inequalities: Janet Fink (Open University). 16. Education: Roy Lowe (University of London). 17. Health: John Welshman (Lancaster University). 18. Re–writing the Unwritten Constitution: Andrew Blick (Political Researcher). 19. The Secret State: Richard J. Aldrich (University of Nottingham). 20. Rethinking the ‘Rise and Fall’ of Two–Party Politics: Steven Fielding (University of Salford). 21. The Rise and Disintegration of the Working Classes: Robert Taylor (European Trade Union Confederation, Brussels). 22. The Growth of Social Movements: Holger Nehring (University of Sheffield). 23. Civil Society: Nicholas Deakin (London School of Economics and Political Science). 24. The Politics of Devolution: Christopher Harvie (Tübingen University, Baden–Württemberg). 25. The Politics of Northern Ireland: Thomas Hennessey (Canterbury Christ Church University College). 26. Britain in the World Economy: Catherine R. Schenk (University of Glasgow). 27. The End of Empire: Bill Schwarz (Queen Mary College, University of London). 28. The Anglo–American ‘Special Relationship’: Michael F. Hopkins and John W. Young (Liverpool Hope University College; University of Nottingham). 29. Britain and Europe: James Ellison (Queen Mary College, University of London). 30. British Defence Policy: Simon Ball (University of Glasgow). Select Bibliography

Paul Addison is Director of the Centre for WWII Studies at the University of Edinburgh. His books include The Road to 1945: British Politics and the Second World War (1975) and Churchill on the Home Front 1900–1955 (1992). Harriet Jones is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London.

A CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title of the Year "This companion makes it easy to survey subjects quickly for the latest and best historiography, and provides lots of avenues by which to travel for further knowledge." ( Journal of World History , September 2009) "[This volume] lives us to [the] high expectations of the series of Blackwell Companions . Informed, wide–ranging and up–to–date syntheses cover what might be regarded as standard subjects like the Second World War ... and the transformation of the British economy. More importantly, there are chapters on topics ignored by most histories of Britain; for example ... the suburbanization of Britain, sport and youth culture." ( History ) "A definitive textbook for contemporary British history. Its breadth of subjects is compelling, and the quality of its contributions ... superb, with many subjects dealt with by authors able to pour a career’s worth of groundbreaking research into their introductory surveys. Praise must be given for a consistently informative volume, which places so many interpretations and discussions in one place. Overall, Addison and Jones can congratulate themselves for editing a superb collection, one that can reasonably lay claim to being the foremost textbook on contemporary British history." ( Reviews in History )