Manchester

The history of Manchester is more than the story of a town, it is a contribution to the history of the world. The core of the book tells the story of Manchester's emergence as the first great industrial city between 1780 and 1850, and its time until the First World War as the Capital of Cotton. Alongside his history of Manchester's economy and politics, with its tale of factories, utilitarian entrepreneurs, Peterloo and the emergence of a politicised working class, the author places a less familiar history of the people and their culture. The development of middle-class suburban havens like Didsbury and Rusholme, the cinemas and music halls, the libraries and newspapers, and the great Victorian buildings typified by Waterhouse's Town Hall: all contribute to a complex and fascinating portrait. The last third of the book tells the story of Manchester's twentieth-century de-industrialisation (mirroring Britain's retreat from commercial predominance) and the dynamic regeneration of the last few years.Alan Kidd introduces many new interpretations and challenges several myths about the city's industrial heritage. Accessibly written yet aware of the rapidly growing literature in the field of urban history, it provides the local historian with the perfect starting point for an exploration of this famous city.This third edition of Manchester includes a new final chapter on the city's future, covering economic regeneration, urban redevelopment, and Manchester's place in Europe.