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mcsangel2's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant, fascinating stuff (for the most part). I'm finding the study of 20th century Britain to be more interesting than the US, in terms of how it affected everyday life and the social fabric. Things changed so quickly in this period. One star off only some of the popular culture parts, mainly football. Good stuff, nonetheless. This was my first read of the series, I will be going back to pick up "Never Had it So Good".
a_manning11's review against another edition
5.0
Hard to put down and I will definitely listen to it again. May be even better in print because the book's structure would be visible, but the audio version is outstanding.
mwx1010's review against another edition
4.0
The third volume in Sandbrook’s ongoing history of postwar Britain, and we’re now covering off Edward Heath’s premiership.
State of Emergency feels a little less focused on the political infighting and chicanery than the previous books in the series, but this may be a factor both of Heath’s dogged pursuit of his goals, brooking little competition, as well as the fact that during the period in question, the whole idea of the UK was falling apart. We see the first major escalation of the troubles in Northern Ireland, as well as increasing union militancy. In the background we have the entry of the UK into the EEC (which has a certain resonance given that Brexit is still up in the air at the time of writing).
As always with Sandbrook there’s as much concentration on the social and cultural as the political, but this somehow feels a trifle flatter than its predecessors.
State of Emergency feels a little less focused on the political infighting and chicanery than the previous books in the series, but this may be a factor both of Heath’s dogged pursuit of his goals, brooking little competition, as well as the fact that during the period in question, the whole idea of the UK was falling apart. We see the first major escalation of the troubles in Northern Ireland, as well as increasing union militancy. In the background we have the entry of the UK into the EEC (which has a certain resonance given that Brexit is still up in the air at the time of writing).
As always with Sandbrook there’s as much concentration on the social and cultural as the political, but this somehow feels a trifle flatter than its predecessors.
mitvan's review against another edition
5.0
Britain 1970-1974- the dark times and failed premiership of Ted Heath. What a mess and hopefully not prophetic.
sirchutney's review against another edition
5.0
Sandbrook's epic history of Postwar Britain reaches the early seventies by which time the country seemed to be tottering on the brink of an abyss. Embracing the period of the Heath Government from 1970-74, we see the optimism of the Sixties becoming a hazy memory. Strikes, blackouts, unemployment and inflation dominated the headlines. But amid the gloom, glittered a creativity and cultural dynamism that would influence our lives for decades to come. Sandbrook recreates the gaudy atmosphere of the early Seventies. A time of:
Enoch Powell and Tony Benn,
David Bowie and Brian Clough,
Germaine Greer and Mary Whitehouse.
An age when the unions dominated. Where socialist revolution seemed at hand. But one in which feminism, permissiveness and environmentalism were transforming lives. Sandbrook also covers topics as diverse as:
miners' strikes,
tower blocks,
IRA atrocities,
celebrity footballers,
curry houses,
package holidays,
gay rights, and
glam rock.
State of Emergency is a splendid guide to the luridly colourful Seventies landscape of popular culture, social change, economics and politics. A 650-page book on an unfashionable epoch of a declining country that shaped our present.
Enoch Powell and Tony Benn,
David Bowie and Brian Clough,
Germaine Greer and Mary Whitehouse.
An age when the unions dominated. Where socialist revolution seemed at hand. But one in which feminism, permissiveness and environmentalism were transforming lives. Sandbrook also covers topics as diverse as:
miners' strikes,
tower blocks,
IRA atrocities,
celebrity footballers,
curry houses,
package holidays,
gay rights, and
glam rock.
State of Emergency is a splendid guide to the luridly colourful Seventies landscape of popular culture, social change, economics and politics. A 650-page book on an unfashionable epoch of a declining country that shaped our present.
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