This Companion brings together 32 new essays by leading historians to provide a reassessment of British history in the early twentieth century. The contributors present lucid introductions to the literature and debates on major aspects of the political, social and economic history of Britain between 1900 and 1939. Examines controversial issues over the social impact of the First World War, especially on women Provides substantial coverage of changes in Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as in England Includes a substantial bibliography, which will be a valuable guide to secondary sources

The beginning of the 20th century wasn't a significant time in itself for change in British politics, except perhaps for the founding of the Labour Party, but a gradual shift in the political landscape had been taking place. This was a time when the status of the United Kingdom as a greatimperial power and as a strong industrial economy was ceasing to exist. The end of the 20th century gave quite a different picture. It showed a country struggling with the issue of integration into Europe (a concept barely imagined 100 years previously), a more service- less industry-orientated economy, and a political system less focused on Westminster and more focusedon the regions than ever before. The challenge facing those involved in compiling The Companion to 20th-Century British Politics was to incorporate the wide breadth of subject matter covering the events, themes, ideas, people, institutions, and places that have been important in shaping the path of political history of Britainover the past 100 years. The result is the most comprehensive and authoritative source of reference on 20th-century British politics ever written. Exploring a diverse range of topics over 100 specialist contributors, under the guidance of a team of distinguished advisory editors, have written more than 3,000 opinionated and informative entries. All the major political organisations that have functioned during the 20th century are mentioned. There are biographical entries including longer entries on all prime ministers and holders of key cabinet posts and shorter entries on many junior ministers, influential backbenchers, and partyorganisers. The book also covers key areas of economic, social, legal, foreign, and defence policies with special attention devoted to the politics of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Historical events and their impact on the shape of political thinking are described in detail. Political concepts andideas have entries devoted to them, as do social and economic issues. Topics of international debate such as those concerned with Europe, NATO, and Anglo-American relations are discussed at length. The whole period is covered, from the foundation of the Labour Party to mad cow disease and even theresult of the 2001 general election. BIOGRAPHIESPMs and leaders of the major and lesser parties: Harold Wilson, Tony Blair, David Steel, Oswald Mosley, William Hague, Margaret Thatcherpoliticians: Ernest Bevin, Violet Bonham Carter, Martin Bellroyalty: Diana, Princess of Wales, George V, George VIprivate secretaries to royalty: Robert Fellowes, Francis Knollysdiplomats: Lord Caradon, Oliver Harvey judges: Cyril Radcliffe, Lord Trevethinspies: John Cairncross, Oleg Gordievskymodern influential figures: Mo Mowlam, Ken Livingstone, Gerry Adamscivil servants: William Beveridge, Burke Trendkey thinkers and writers: Friedrich von Hayek, J. M. Keynes, A. J. P. Taylor, Harold Laski, Max Weberfigures in the media: Robin Day, Robert Maxwellindustrialists: Charles Clore, Alfred Mond, Evan Williamstrade unionists: Frank Cousins, Arthur Scargill, George WoodcockEVENTSmajor conflicts and wars: Falklands war, Gulf war, Second World Warcrises: oil crisis, Beef wareconomic events: Black Wednesday, convertibility crisispolitical events: Black Monday, referendum pledge, Tonypandy, Westland affair, Zinoviev letterIreland: Drumcree, Easter Rising, Peace Process mark I, Peace Process mark IIEurope: Bruges speech, Lome conventionInternational events: Blitz, Norway debate, Wall Street crash ISSUESsocial issues: crime, drugs, north-south divide, abortion, race, literacy, gambling, football hooliganism, divorceconstitutional issues: centralisation in local government, corruptionpolitical issues: local government finance, alternative vote, censorship, poll taxeconomic issues: balance of payments, inflation, free trade, rent control, stagflation, unemployment, medium-term financial strategyeducation: grammar schools, school milk, eleven-plus selectionhealth: AIDS, family planning, care in the community THEORIES AND IDEASanarchism, capitalism, fascism, feminism, game theory, oligarchy, pluralism, Marxism PUBLICATIONSbooks: Full Employment in a Free Society, One Nation, The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropistsreports: Bryce report, Finer report, Norwood reportmedia: Marxism Today, The Economist, Daily Mail, Irish Worker, Private Eyewhite papers: In Place of Strife, Sandys white paperpolicy documents: Fair Deal at Work, Looking Ahead, We Can Conquer Unemploymentfilm and television: Braveheart, Spitting Image, That Was the Week That Was ORGANISATIONSparties: Conservative Party, Green Party, National Party, Cumann na nGaedheal, Referendum Partycentral government: Bank of England, cabinet committees, Inland Revenueclubs and societies: Fabian Society, Monday clubcharities: Age Concern, National Trust, Shelterpressure groups: Anti-Waste League, Keep Sunday Special Campaignmedia: BBC, HTV, S4CEurope: European Union, European parliament, Western European Union LEGISLATION AND RULESActs of Parliament: Prevention of Terrorism Act, Single European Act, Clean Air Act, Education Acts, Race Relations Acts, Trade Union Acts SLOGANS AND SAYINGS'back to basics', 'Hitler has missed the bus', 'never had it so good' , 'No, no, no!' In addition to A-Z entries the Companion offers extra material including a list of office holders from 1900 to the present day, a classified contents list grouping headwords by topic, a table of election results including the result of the 2001 election, and a table showing dates ofministries.

First full-scale guide to the origins and development of the early printed book, and the issues associated with it.

The first reference book to deal so fully and incisively with the cultural representations of war in 20th-century English and US literature and film. The volume covers the two World Wars as well as specific conflicts that generated literary and imaginativ

A Companion to Nineteenth-Century Britain presents 33 essaysby expert scholars on all the major aspects of the political,social, economic and cultural history of Britain during the lateGeorgian and Victorian eras. Truly British, rather than English, in scope. Pays attention to the experiences of women as well as ofmen. Illustrated with maps and charts. Includes guides to further reading.

The first systematic investigation of the impact of imperialism on twentieth-century Britain.

A Companion to Contemporary Britain covers the key themesand debates of 20th-century history from the outbreak of the SecondWorld War to the end of the century. Assesses the impact of the Second World War Looks at Britain’s role in the wider world, including thelegacy of Empire, Britain’s ‘specialrelationship’ with the United States, and integration withcontinental Europe Explores cultural issues, such as class consciousness,immigration and race relations, changing gender roles, and theimpact of the mass media Covers domestic politics and the economy Introduces the varied perspectives dominating historicalwriting on this period Identifies the key issues which are likely to fuel futuredebate