A History of Britain 1885-1939 (British Studies Series)

Drawing extensively upon recent historical research, Davis (modern history and politics, The Queen's College, Oxford) canvasses this pivotal half-century in an England transitioning from the Victorian political era dominated by religious disputes to a more modern system prompted by superpower status and pressures for social reform grappling with economic downturns and the threat of war. The text commences with Gladstone's 1884 analysis of the essential liberal character of the Victorian state, and concludes with reflections on the fact of Conservative governments' domination of 37 of these 54 years. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)