Sources and Debates in Modern British History

“This is a collection of documents of immense richness from a wide variety of sources: parliamentary debates, official reports, cartoons, novels, high intellects, among others. They stretch from the eighteenth century to the present, from Adam Smith to Mrs Thatcher. Dealing with state and society, workers and women, culture and empire, each short document is succinctly introduced. Every chapter concludes with invaluable bibliographies reflecting the most important current historiographical debates. Through a close study of these extremely well-selected documents, students will be able to come to a thorough knowledge and understanding of the compelling story of Britain since 1714, its rise to being the most powerful country in the world, and its subsequent decline.”Peter Stansky, Stanford University “Sources and Debates in Modern British History is an excellent way to introduce undergraduates to primary sources. The editorial material shows students how these historical figures were in conversation with each other, while the questions for discussion encourage students to analyze the documents individually and in groups. I highly recommend this book for undergraduates.”Carol Engelhardt Herringer, Wright State University Sources and Debates in Modern British History is a sourcebook designed for undergraduate students taking survey courses in the modern period. The collection illuminates and extends the reader’s understanding of the themes at the heart of Britain’s transformation over the course of the last three centuries. The book is arranged in three chronological parts and includes over 180 sources. Each document is introduced with a brief contextual headnote and a list of discussion questions. a selection of “counterfactual” questions is also provided, as well an extensive bibliography. Each chapter identifies and provides background information about important historical debates, which introduce students to historiography and illustrate how historians actually work.