In what has established itself as a classic study of Britain from the late eighteenth century to the mid-Victorian period Eric J. Evans explains how the country became the worldâs first industrial nation. His book also explains how and why Britain was able to lay the foundations for what became the worldâs largest empire. Over the period covered by this book Britain became the worldâs most powerful nation and arguably its first super-power. Economic opportunity and imperial expansion were accompanied by numerous domestic political crises which stopped short of revolution. The book ranges widely: across key political diplomatic social cultural economic and religious themes in order to convey the drama involved in a century of hectic but generally constructive change. Britain was still ruled by wealthy landowners in 1870 as it had been in 1783 yet the society over which they presided was unrecognisable. Victorian Britain had become an urban industrial and commercial powerhouse. This fourth edition coming more than fifteen years after its predecessor has been completely revised and updated in the light of recent research. It engages more extensively with key themes including gender national identities and Britainâs relationship with its burgeoning empire. Containing illustrations maps an expanded âFramework of Eventsâ and an extensive âCompendium of Informationâ on topics such as population change cabinet membership and significant legislation the book is essential reading for all students of this crucial period in British history. . Language: English