P. J. Corfield

This book about Georgian Britain and its society is the product of many years of study, and in that sense reflects learning worn lightly, the easy writing style drawing on a huge number of sources to synthesise conclusions about the 'long 18th century' (a period which she makes even longer than some historians in order to fit what she wants to say). It is an interesting book, although it tails off in quality in the last few chapters, which have a tendency to become list-like. A good aspect is the attention paid to developments in Wales and Ireland as well as England and Scotland. There is relatively little about national politics, the royal family and wars – this is about the people, low and high. Each chapter has some interesting suggestions for ways in which readers can try and 'go back in time' to experience Georgian Britain at first hand.

On the whole the book is well-proofed, but there are a few instances of repeated information and allusions which should have been eliminated .

Ms Corfield is a paid-up member of old-style Labour; even if one did not know this, her sighing after the good old days would be evident in the way material in this book is marshalled in support of the Whig thesis of continual improvement, and the accent on individual rights. She is too good an historian to try and hide this, and the book is scrupulously referenced. She also concedes that 21st century society is far from perfect and that it is hypocrisy for us to denounce the Georgians too vigorously whatever their 'deeds and misdeeds'.

So well worth having, providing one bears in mind where the author is 'coming from'.… (altro)

This book contains many interesting insights about looking at history over the long term. Corfield has a broad field of vision and cleverly analyzes existing views. As her own alternative, she launches the concept of 'trialectics': looking at history as a complex interaction of continuity, gradual change and sudden breaks. That is certainly a valid approach (although perhaps a little too close to the classical 'dialectic'), but unfortunately she does not elaborate this alternative in concrete examples. For a detailed review, see my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1563333210… (altro)