Noted British historian Walvin has written a companion volume to a Discovery Channel series in which he explores the relationship of modern British society to what it sees as the good old Victorian values. British politicians now call for a return to the supposed thrift, cleanliness, self-reliance, and national pride of Victoria's time; Walvin sees this as misleading. Complex problems of the time due to urbanization meant that many lived in crowded, filthy, disease-ridden homes to which the now-decried modern state was seen as the solution. Victorians varied too much to be simplified into political slogans. This readable, well-illustrated book is recommended for academic and public libraries....

Note - Ex library