Made by Labour: A Material and Visual History of British Labour, c. 1780-1924

(Hardback)

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Description

An accessible, lavishly illustrated overview of British labor history.

This book presents a lavishly illustrated history of British labor, represented by the material objects that were made, used, and cherished by working people from the late eighteenth to early twentieth centuries. In addition to an extensive collection of photographs, each expertly described and contextualized, the book includes a thoroughly researched introduction examining the nature of labors material and visual culture, a chapter on the conservation and preservation of labors material heritage, a directory of places where items may be viewed, and a full bibliography. It is a scholarly resource, an image gallery, and a student handbookall rolled into one.

Reviews

"Drawing on a wide-ranging of artefacts, Mansfield and Wright provide a fresh approach to British labour history. The large number of beautiful illustrations are a pleasure to view, accompanied by astute assessments of each item. Much was new to me. Very enjoyable and enlightening."-- "Emeritus Professor Chris Wrigley, Nottingham University"
"This compilation of objects and images provides a rare and invaluable multi-dimensional view of the politics and culture of the British Labour movement - from its roots in the eighteenth century to the moment of its ascendancy in 1922 - while also reminding us of the continuing power and significance of historical artefacts." -- "Professor Sir Deian Hopkin, vice-president of Llafur: The Welsh People's History Society"
"This beautifully produced book tackles labour history from a new and fascinating angle . . . The book draws together the arts of curation and interpretation, and explores central theses of labour historiography and the emergence of working-class consciousness, including a discussion of issues of gender, class and race in working-class organisations."-- "The Morning Star"

Author Bio

Martin Wright is a senior lecturer in history at Cardiff University and the author of Wales and Socialism: Political Culture and National Identity Before the Great War. Nick Mansfield is professor of history at the University of Central Lancashire.