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Bread Winner

An Intimate History of the Victorian Economy
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( 48 ratings, 6 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Bread Winner by Emma Griffin explores the fascinating intersection of family life and work through Britain's economic and social evolution over the past two centuries. Delving into personal narratives and historical records, the book examines how families coped with the challenges of earning a living, revealing the profound impacts of industrialisation and changing work patterns on daily life. This historical analysis vividly portrays the resilience and adaptability of working-class families throughout significant societal transformations.
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Format: Hardback
$5399
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the social and economic history of the working class, particularly in Britain. It provides a compelling insight into the lives of ordinary people as they navigated the challenges of industrialisation and economic change. This book will appeal to those interested in personal stories that highlight resilience and adaptation in the face of transformative historical events.

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Bread Winner

The forgotten story of how ordinary families managed financially in the Victorian era--and struggled to survive despite increasing national prosperity

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The forgotten story of how ordinary families managed financially in the Victorian era—and struggled to survive despite increasing national prosperity

“A powerful story of social realities, pressures, and the fracturing of traditional structures.”—Ruth Goodman, Wall Street Journal

“Deeply researched and sensitive.”—Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph, "Best History Books of 2020"

Nineteenth century Britain saw remarkable economic growth and a rise in real wages. But not everyone shared in the nation’s wealth. Unable to earn a sufficient income themselves, working-class women were reliant on the ‘breadwinner wage’ of their husbands. When income failed, or was denied or squandered by errant men, families could be plunged into desperate poverty from which there was no escape.

Emma Griffin unlocks the homes of Victorian England to examine the lives – and finances – of the people who lived there. Drawing on over 600 working-class autobiographies, including more than 200 written by women, Bread Winner changes our understanding of daily life in Victorian Britain.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Emma Griffin's Bread Winner offers a compelling and deeply researched re-evaluation of the Victorian economy, focusing on the personal and domestic aspects at its heart. The book skilfully uses eyewitness accounts to examine the social realities and pressures of the time, presenting a rich tapestry of working-class lives. Griffin's pioneering research challenges traditional economic histories by emphasising lived experience and highlighting the damaging effects of the male breadwinner norm. Her empathetic approach and meticulous collection of autobiographies bring the 19th-century struggles vividly to life, making it an enthralling and significant contribution to history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300230062

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 28 April 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 32 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Emma Griffin is professor of modern British history at the University of East Anglia. She is the author of five books, including Liberty's Dawn and Blood Sport.

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