Britain's industrial revolution : the making of a manufacturing people, 1700-1870

Barrie Trinder has been a leading expert on industrial history for many years and this is perhaps his most important book to date: a general overview of the industrial revolution across the British Isles.

The industrial revolution was one of the defining changes of human history, and it happened in Britain first.

It changed radically the way in which goods were made: for the first time large factories were built to house the machines and power systems that had been invented.

It led to new ways of working, and living: it concentrated workers in large workplaces, often in the rapidly growing towns and cities.

Along with spectacular profits and economic benefits, it brought danger, pollution and increasing inequality between rich and poor.

Alongside industry arrived canals, railways, cast-iron bridges and iron ships.

The industrial revolution created the country and the society we recognise today.