The Death of Rural England : A Social History of the Countryside Since 1900

In the age of material crises of rural areas, worries about environmental damage and factory farming, urban people's attitudes to the countryside have changed. Rural areas are still seen as places to roam and to enjoy, yet modern agriculture also causes anxities about the land and its products.Alun Howkins's panoramic survey is a social history of rural England and Wales in the twentieth century. He examines the impact of the First World War, the role of agriculture throughout the century, and the expectations of the countryside that modern urban people harbour. Howkins analyzes the role of rural England as a place for work as well as leisure, and the problems caused by these often conflicting roles. This overview will be welcomed by anyone interested in agricultural and social history, historical geographers, and all those interested in contemporary rural affairs. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of plates......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 11 List of abbreviations......Page 13 Introduction......Page 14 'Blue remembered hills': rural society, 1900 21......Page 18 The countryside in a new century, 1900 14......Page 20 The Great War and its aftermath, 1914 21......Page 40 The 'locust years', 1921 39......Page 56 The misfortunes of agriculture, 1921 37......Page 58 Landowners and farmers......Page 68 The traditionalists: farm workers and domestic servants......Page 90 New countrymen and women: workers and trippers......Page 108 The second agricultural revolution, 1937 90......Page 126 War and state agriculture, 1937 45......Page 128 'Tractors plus chemicals': agriculture and farming, 1945 90......Page 155 What is the countryside for? Rural society, 1945 2001......Page 174 A place to work and a place to play: incomers and outgoers, 1945 90......Page 176 Defending the natural order? Environment and conservation, 1945 90......Page 200 The countryside in crisis, 1990 2001......Page 220 Notes......Page 248 Index......Page 270 Alun Howkins's Thorough Survey Is A Social History Of Rural England And Wales In The 20th Century. He Examines The Impact Of World War I, The Role Of Agriculture Throughout The Century, And The Expectations Of The Countryside That Modern Urban People Harbour. Pt. I. 'blue Remembered Hills': Rural Society, 1900-21 -- 1. The Countryside In A New Century, 1900-14 -- 2. The Great War And Its Aftermath, 1914-21 -- Pt. Ii. The 'locust Years', 1921-39 -- 3. The Misfortunes Of Agriculture, 1921-37 -- 4. Landowners And Farmers -- 5. The Traditionalists: Farm Workers And Domestic Servants -- 6. New Countrymen And Women: Workers And Trippers -- Pt. Ii. The Second Agricultural Revolution, 1937-90 -- 7. War And State Agriculture 1937-45 -- 8. 'tractors Plus Chemicals': Agriculture And Farming, 1945-90 -- Pt. Iv. What Is The Countryside For? Rural Society, 1945-2001 -- 9. A Place To Work And A Place To Play: Incomers And Outgoers, 1945-90. Alun Howkins. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-256) And Index. In the age of material crises of rural areas, worries about environmental damage and factory farming, urban people's attitudes to the countryside have changed. Rural areas are still seen as places to roam and to enjoy, yet modern agriculture also causes anxieties about the land and its products. Alun Howkins's thorough survey is a social history of rural England and Wales in the 20th century. He examines the impact of World War I, the role of agriculture throughout the century, and the expectations of the countryside that modern urban people harbour. Howkins analyses the role of rural England as a place for work as well as leisure, and the problems caused by these often conflicting roles

Alun Howkins' panoramic survey is a social history of rural England and Wales in the twentieth century. He examines the impact of the First World War, the role of agriculture throughout the century, and the expectations of the countryside that modern urban people harbour. Howkins analyzes the role of rural England as a place for work as well as leisure, and the problems caused by these often conflicting roles.

This overview will be welcomed by anyone interested in agricultural and social history, historical geographers, and all those interested in rural affairs.

This thorough survey is a social history of rural England and Wales in the 20th century. It examines the impact of the First World War, the role of agriculture throughout the century and the expectations of the countryside that modern urban people harbor. It also analyzes the role of rural England as a place for work as well as leisure and the problems causeed by these often conflicting roles. This engaging history of rural England and Wales during the twentieth century looks at the role of the countryside as both a place of work and of leisure and looks at the many crises it has suffered during that time