Modernity Britain: Book Two: A Shake of the Dice, 1959-62 by Kynaston David (PDF)

Description

This sixth book in David Kynastons history of post-war Britain deals with the period of transformation from the old to the brink of the new – consumerism, urban redevelopment and economic decline.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This is the first book in this series which takes place after I had left England. Consequently, much of the description of football games, TV shows, films, social events, and minor political squabbles is totally unknown to me. I therefore found some of these parts rather boring. What was interesting was the description of the wholesale destruction of British towns and cities to make way for ghastly high-rise buildings that no one wanted to live in. It is amazing to me how the town planners of the sixties were allowed to get away with replacing cozy and familiar town centers with ugly, nondescript wildernesses of chain stores and concrete monstrosities. (I saw Coventry in the 70’s, which was a perfect example of the ruin they had wrought.) So it is an interesting series–I have read them all so far–although infinitely depressing in its chronicle of the decline of Britain.

⭐One of a kind.Read the Jan.25 ’15 NY Times Book Review article to appreciate this glorious series.

⭐I have never been terribly interested in history, with two exceptions – the First World War (and I have no idea why I find this so fascinating) and the period covering my own life (1943 onward – yes, I’m an old GIT!). This book by Kynaston is the latest of a series which covers the period 1945 onward As I am not an expert in historical literature I do not know whether the author’s style is unique but it certainly makes the books very readable. His technique is to quote from diaries written by members of the public, from reviews of television and radio programs, theatre performances and so on. He also covers the latest inventions and lists the most recent introductions onto the market, from soap powders to tinned food. The major arguments and policies emanating from the political parties are covered, the whole being integrated into a fascinating tapestry of the years under consideration.One thing is abundantly clear on reading these books – there’s nothing new under the sun in politics! One of the major concerns of the politicians and the public in the period covered by this book was immigration, specifically the number of immigrants arriving in the UK, the inadequacy and the amount of the available accommodation. The difference, of course, was that the Prime Minister of the time was a one-nation Tory (MacMillan)!I can thoroughly recommend this book – and indeed the whole series – as a fascinating and unusual way of familiarizing oneself with recent history, often seen from the viewpoint of Joe Public, rather than the academic historian.

⭐I have read the two preceding volumes and, so far it is to the same hIgh standards. It’ is utterly fascinating playing the’I knew that’ or ‘I was there’. Some things don’t change, others do, dramatically. I watched Wolverhampton (where I live) has the highest score in obese children, earlier on telly and I was hanging my head in shame . So many sweets, so many cakes, so many channels, so many video games are the lures. Outdoor activities, with all their challenges, are no nos and I am convinced that their absences from children’s lives will reap the whirlwind.

⭐I thoroughly enjoyed this – the 4th volume of David Kynaston’s post war social history of Britain. Like the previous volumes this is mostly eyewitness history, using diaries and other writings of people of the day – in high office and in everyday life. This volume covers the years 1959-1962, including the development of new towns and high-rise flats, television, theatre, the beginnings of the Beatles, the rise of consumerism and much more.It all makes for interesting reading, and I look forward to the next volume with anticipation

⭐Extraordinarily engaging. Marries detailed and balanced historical narrative with these flashes of everyday life for people of a wide range of background during these years which make the whole period come alive for me. All beautifully written , the 4 volumes published so far have pride of place on my shelves and I think these are the only history books I’ve actively looked forward to for months together.

⭐Not as impressive as the first volume(s) in his series. I found it lacked breadth due to reliance on too narrow a selection of original sources.Quite a bit on town planning(not the most facinating of subjects to me) that could have been trimmed.

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