Revolution
Drawing on a range of sources from cycling club journals to the writings of H.G. Wells, Revolution illuminates the major impact the bicycle had on the day-to-day lives of people across the social spectrum with millions experiencing a cheap and personalised means of transport for the first time. For women, it was known as the great emancipator from crib, kitchen and convention. Affordable to the working class, cycling dramatically increased the number of potential marriage partners and has a significant impact on widening Britain's gene pool.
Revolution delves into the social history of cycling in 1890s Britain while exploring international parallels that existed in countries including the US, France and Australia.
Book details
- Format
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780715653333
- Published
- 25 July 2019
- Pages
- 320
- Duration
- Dimensions
- 129 x 198 mm
- Genre
- History
- Imprint
- Duckworth
Reviews
'For anyone interested in the history of bicycling, this is the book'
'Superb'
'Tells a wonderful tale from the Victorian invention through to modern Britain... impressive to make such a complicated history so concise and accessible to a wide readership' Mark Ian Macleod Beaumont, record-breaking long-distance British cyclist and author of the bestselling
'Well written, researched, and balanced, Revolution carefully documents early cycling and gives us a window into a world that's influenced every one of us who cycles today'
'Fascinating... an impressive, compelling social history of the bicycle... probably the definitive work available on the subject'
'Extremely well-researched... a must-read for anyone interested in the history and development of the bicycle'
'A heart-warming, often humorous depiction of the development of the bicycle and its role in nurturing human relationships sporting, social, professional and romantic... touches the lives of cycling enthusiasts through the ages'
'Manners takes us on a wild ride through cycling history in this richly researched, intelligent and beautifully written book'
'One of the great things about Revolution is how William Manners shines a light on the fact that not only does the bicycle have the potential to change the world, it has actually been doing so since its earliest beginnings. A great read'
