Rural Modernity in Britain: A Critical Intervention

Rural Modernity in Britain explores the impact of modernisation on rural areas, challenging the notion that they were merely a retreat from modernity. It examines the experiences and representations of modernity in rural places, focusing on networks, landscapes, communities, heritage, and war. Contributors from various disciplines offer insights into the interdisciplinary field of rural modernity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Rural Modernity in Britain is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary field that explores the impact of modernisation on rural areas in Britain. It challenges the traditional notion that urban and suburban areas were the primary beneficiaries of modernisation, and instead highlights the significant changes that occurred in rural communities. The book argues that rural areas experienced economic depression, the expansion of transportation and communication networks, the roll out of electricity, the loss of land, and the erosion of local identities.

The book is divided into five sections: Networks, Landscapes, Communities, Heritage, and War. Each section explores a different aspect of rural modernity and includes essays by contributors from England, Scotland, the USA, New Zealand, and Canada. The essays are in dialogue with each other, providing a comprehensive overview of the field.

One of the key features of Rural Modernity in Britain is its focus on the rural as a source for new versions of the modern. The book argues that the rural has been overlooked in modernity studies and that it has a unique role to play in the formation and development of British experiences and representations of modernity. The essays explore the ways in which rural communities have responded to modernisation, including the creation of new industries, the development of new technologies, and the preservation of local traditions and customs.

Another important aspect of Rural Modernity in Britain is its interdisciplinary nature. The book brings together scholars from a range of fields, including literature, art history, history, geography, and cultural studies. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between rural and urban spaces and the ways in which they have shaped each other over time.

The book also includes suggestions to guide readers across the interdisciplinary contents of the diverse chapters. These suggestions include reading the essays in order, paying attention to the key themes and arguments, and engaging with the visual and textual materials included in the book.

Overall, Rural Modernity in Britain is a vital contribution to the field of modernity and modernism studies. It provides a fresh perspective on the impact of modernisation on rural areas and highlights the ways in which rural communities have responded to these changes. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history, culture, and politics of rural Britain.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474473187