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One Hot Summer
Dickens, Darwin, Disraeli, and the Great Stink of 1858
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One Hot Summer
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See moreA unique, colorful view of Victorian London when residents both famous and now-forgotten endured "the Great Stink" across one hot summer
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
One Hot Summer offers a unique, colourful view of Victorian London when residents, both famous and now-forgotten, endured "the Great Stink" across one hot summer.
While 1858 in London may have been noteworthy for its broiling summer months and the related stench of the sewage-filled Thames River, the year is otherwise little remembered. And yet, historian Rosemary Ashton reveals in this compelling microhistory that 1858 was marked by significant, if unrecognized, turning points. For ordinary people, and also for the rich, famous, and powerful, the months from May to August turned out to be a summer of consequence.
Ashton mines Victorian letters and gossip, diaries, court records, newspapers, and other contemporary sources to uncover historically crucial moments in the lives of three protagonists—Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Disraeli. She also introduces others who gained renown in the headlines of the day, among them George Eliot, Karl Marx, William Thackeray, and Edward Bulwer Lytton. Ashton reveals invisible threads of connection among Londoners at every social level in 1858, bringing the celebrated city and its citizens vibrantly to life.
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?
One Hot Summer by Rosemary Ashton is praised for its superb research and engaging narrative, focusing on the significant year of 1858 in the lives of Dickens, Disraeli, and Darwin. The book captures the turbulent midsummer of London, marked by the infamous Great Stink, offering vivid descriptions of public upheaval and societal transformation. Critics appreciate the detailed exploration of daily life, saying it's both an informative and entertaining portrayal of Victorian values and events. Ashton's ability to uncover lesser-known stories and weave them into the broader historical context has been particularly highlighted.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780300238662
Publisher: Yale University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 10 July 2018
Country: United States
Imprint: Yale University Press
Illustration: 28 b-w illus.
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 127.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 454g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Rosemary Ashton is Emeritus Quain Professor of English Language and Literature, University College London. She is the author of ten previous books and a fellow of the British Academy and of the Royal Society of Literature. She lives in London.
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