Alwyn Turner

'Britain in the 1920s and 1930s pops to life in this often very witty chronicle of that jittery time' The Times 'Alwyn Turner is the master of funny, engaging social history' Sunday Times After the calamity of the Great War, Britain craved escapist fun - the lights of the Jazz Age, radio comedies and the pictures were a welcome respite from the grim reality of the Great Depression. Yet the storm clouds were gathering, and Britain was a turbulent, restless place - and where the foundations of the modern nation were laid. Combining cultural, social and political history, A Shellshocked Nation is the next instalment in Alwyn Turner's highly original history of the twentieth century, sketching a portrait of the interwar nation through its entertainments and scandals, its people and political crises. From the General Strike to the BBC, Irish Home Rule and the rise of fascism, this is the definitive story of Britain's most anxious era.

After the calamity of the Great War, there was a desire in Britain for escapist fun - the lights of the Jazz Age, radio comedies and the pictures were a welcome respite from the grim reality of the Great Depression. Yet the storm clouds were gathering, and Britain between the wars was a turbulent, restless place - and where the foundations of the modern nation were laid. Combining cultural, social and political history, A Shellshocked Nation is the next instalment in Alwyn Turner's highly original history of the twentieth century, sketching a portrait of the interwar nation through its entertainments and scandals, its people and political crises. From the General Strike to the BBC, Irish Home Rule and the rise of fascism, this is the definitive story of Britain's most anxious era.

An authoritative and entertaining history of the Edwardian age, told through its politics and popular culture

An authoritative and entertaining history of the Edwardian age, told through its politics and popular culture

A biting and original history which places culture front and centre to explain how our country went to pieces.

The Cadogan Estate in Chelsea is one of the few remaining ancient family estates in London, covering one of the capital’s most dynamic, thriving and fashionable districts. The foundations of the Cadogan Estate were established in 1717 when Charles, 2nd Baron Cadogan married the daughter of Sir Hans Sloane, who had purchased the Manor of Chelsea in 1712. This lavish book celebrates the family’s 300-year stewardship of the Estate, which continues in the hands of the present Viscount Chelsea who succeeded his father, Earl Cadogan as group chairman in 2012. Beautifully illustrated, this collection of essays by expert commentators looks at the history and lineage of this noble family and the formation of the Estate as we know it today, focusing on the architectural and horticultural heritage that has shaped the built environment of the area, the economic and social impact of the two world wars, twentieth-century arts and culture, pioneering fashion trends and the changing face of retail in Chelsea. Today the Estate is home to London’s most glamorous and dynamic locations for retail, fashion and culture attracting a global clientele, yet continuing to invest and promote in local, independent business and culture.