Overview

An ambitious history of Britain told through the stories of twenty-five notable structures, from the Iron Age fortification of Maiden Castle in Dorset to the Gherkin. 'An illuminating history of Britain ... fascinating' – Countryside Building Britannia is a chronicle of social, political and economic change seen through the prism of the country's built environment, but also a sequence of closely observed studies of a series of intrinsically remarkable structures: some of them beautiful or otherwise imposing; some of them more coldly functional; all of them with richly fascinating stories to tell. Steven Parissien tells both a national story, tracing how a growing sense of British nationhood was expressed through the country's architecture, and also examines how these structures were used by later generations to signpost, mythologise or remake British history. Rubbing shoulders with some 'expected' building choices – the Roman baths at Aquae Sulis, the early Gothic splendour of Lincoln Cathedral and the Tudor jewel that is Little Moreton Hall – are some striking inclusions that promise to open doors into what will be, for many readers, less familiar areas of social history: these include The Briton’s Protection, a Regency pub close in Manchester city centre and the Edwardian Baroque Electric Cinema in Notting Hill, one of the country's oldest working cinemas. Thus as well as identifying the relevance of certain iconic structures to the unfolding of the national story, Building Britannia finds fascination and meaning in the everyday and the disregarded.

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9781801108768

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Reviews

Steven Parissien has an extraordinary ability to present the complex story of buildings with both wisdom and humour; each chapter in this book is a memorable cultural encounter with place, each illuminating in different ways the shifting story of British nationhood. * Jeremy Musson * An ingeniously personal journey through British history written with authority, flair and humour. * Jacqueline Riding * Steven Parissien brings a fresh eye and a new perspective to Britain’s architectural history. A hugely enjoyable read, both erudite and entertaining. * Adrian Tinniswood * This book offers a surgically precise section through the nation to reveal – with great clarity – how people have lived and built in Britain during the last 2,600 years. Erudition and insights coupled with lightness of touch makes Building Britannia as entertaining as it is informative. * Dan Cruickshank * Steven Parissien vividly recaptures the rich variety of life in ancient and historic Britain in just twenty-five buildings, getting to the heart of each structure and revealing what motivated people to create it. The range here is extraordinary, from an Iron Age hill fort to Paul McCartney’s post-war family home in Liverpool. Building Britannia is a remarkable book, full of surprises. * Francis Pryor * Thoroughly enjoyable -- Richard Hopton * Country & Town House * An illuminating history of Britain ... fascinating * Countryside * PRAISE FOR STEVEN PARISSIEN: 'The most stunning art books of the year' Sir Roy Strong, Sunday Express. 'An outstanding work of reference and beauty' Interiors Magazine. 'There's plenty here to fuel the petrolhead and the social historian for many miles' Literary Review. 'A read to fascinate anyone interested in the history of the industry' Daily Express. 'A beautiful, highly original book' * Apollo Magazine *

Author Information

Dr Steven Parissien is Director of Compton Verney museum and gallery in Warwickshire, England, and Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford, and the University of Warwick. Born in London and raised in Buckinghamshire, Parissien obtained both his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Oxford, where he now lives. Parissien has worked as a senior manager and CEO in the heritage, arts and education sectors for over thirty years, and has written extensively on architectural and cultural history. His books include Adam Style, Interiors: The Home Since 1700, The Life of the Automobile and Celebrating Britain: Canaletto, Hogarth and Patriotism.

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