Robert D. Pearce

The slogan for this new series of books - Shire Living Histories - is How we worked, How we played, How we lived. It certainly does 'what it says on the tin'. Well illustrated, it covers most aspects of life in Britain in the 1930s, when the country weathered a deep economic crisis, with high unemployment, wage cuts and a deterioration in living standards. Yet industrial output grew between 1933 and 1939, despite a shorter working week, more efficient techniques increasing productivity. A housing and consumer boom was fuelled by cheaper clothes and household goods, slums were cleared and new houses and flats built. Social services improved significantly and transport, pay and holiday opportunities blossomed. This book is the story of what life was like for both people who struggled and for those who lived comfortably in this age of extremes.… (mere)

'The Irish Question' provides a very readable basic history of Anglo-Irish politics in the period 1800 - 1922. I bought this to learn more, rather than for exam revision, so I cannot comment on its utility as a study guide, but the format and quality of writing are in keeping with other titles in the series that I have read.

Overall, this is an excellent little history book that imparts the most important basic information about the subject in an objective, formal style. I would have preferred a little more detail about the civil war but that is not a significant complaint. It also serves as a useful reference source for further reading.… (mere)