The Georgians:
The Deeds and Misdeeds of 18th-Century Britain
By Penelope J. Corfield
why we picked it
The Georgians: The Deeds and Misdeeds of 18th Century Britain by Penelope J. Corfield offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Long Century. This sweeping study delves into all facets of Georgian society, illuminating everything from domestic life and cultural practices to groundbreaking surgical advancements.
What sets this book apart is its inclusive approach, examining various socio-economic classes and the intricacies of life across different social strata. By thoroughly investigating the period's mindset and societal norms, Corfield provides an unparalleled resource for authors seeking to create historically accurate narratives.
For anyone embarking on a period study, The Georgians stands out as the most expansive resource available, covering a remarkable array of topics. It serves as an essential reference for writers and historians alike, making it a must-have for those who wish to immerse themselves in the complexities of 18th-century Britain.
Summary
A comprehensive history of the Georgians, comparing past views of these exciting, turbulent, and controversial times with our attitudes today. The Georgian era is often seen as a time of innovations. It saw the end of monarchical absolutism, global exploration and settlements overseas, the world's first industrial revolution, deep transformations in religious and cultural life, and Britain's role in the international trade in enslaved Africans. But how were these changes perceived by people at the time? And how do their viewpoints compare with attitudes today? In this wide-ranging history, Penelope J. Corfield explores every aspect of Georgian life-politics and empire, culture and society, love and violence, religion and science, industry and towns. People's responses at the time were often divided. Pessimists saw loss and decline, while optimists saw improvements and light. Out of such tensions came the Georgian culture of both experiment and resistance. Corfield emphasizes those elements of deep continuity that persisted even within major changes, and shows how new developments were challenged if their human consequences proved dire.
