Michael Portillo

Portillo’s Hidden History of Britain

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 02/05/2019

ISBN: 9781789291445

Subject: Non-Fiction

Categories: Nostalgia, Science - History - Philosophy

Binding: Paperback

Size: 198 x 129 mm

Extent: 272 pages

Illustration: 16pp colour plates

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

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Summary:

Discover the hidden history of Britain through the stories of its 'lost' or abandoned places and buildings.

Portillo’s Secret History of Britain presents a compelling and wonderfully evocative history of Britain through the stories of its ‘lost’ or abandoned places and buildings. The chapters cover a variety of historical themes: Crime and Punishment, Health and Medicine, Defence and Warfare, and Entertainment and Leisure. Using a combination of his own investigations and archive research, plus memories and quotations from the contributors he interviewed for the series, Michael Portillo explains what the buildings were used for and by whom, why they were abandoned, and what they can tell us about our past.

For example:

– Learn what the ruins of London Road Fire and Police Station in Manchester reveal about the history of the emergency services in the last 100 years

– How Bradford’s art deco Odeon cinema encapsulates a century of film-making and movie-going

With evocative text that brings each location vividly to life, Michael Portillo describes the building and its activities in its heyday and compares this past life with its faded grandeur or melancholic abandonment seen today. Filled with fascinating insights and observations, his narrative provides a compelling and original perspective on Britain’s social and military history.

Portillo's Hidden History of Britain features deserted villages, abandoned prisons, closed-down cinemas, empty hospitals, derelict military bases, sewers and much more. Complementing the text are 16 pages of atmospheric and informative photographs.

Reviews:

Bolstered by atmospheric photos, it's a really insightful read.

Culture Fly

Sales points:

  • The companion book to the Channel 5 series

  • Using a unique combination of history and detection, Michael Portillo uses his privileged access to each building, finding clues in the rubble and piecing together the fascinating stories to which their walls once bore witness

  • Features deserted villages, abandoned prisons, closed-down cinemas, empty hospitals, derelict military bases, sewers and much more

  • The companion book to the BBC's Great British Railway Journeys programme, also presented by Michael Portillo, has sold over 41,000 copies to date

  • Includes 16pp of photos

About the Author:

Michael Portillo

After gaining a first in History at Peterhouse, Cambridge, Michael Portillo worked for a shipping company before joining the Conservative Research Department in 1976. In 1984 he was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate. He was an MP for nearly 20 years and held three ministerial positions in the cabinet: Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Employment and Secretary of State for Defence. Since retiring from active politics in 2005, Michael has pursued a successful media career. He is a regular guest on BBC1’s weekly political discussion programme This Week, and has made documentaries on a range of subjects, including BBC2’s Great British Railway Journeys, the accompanying book of which has sold over 41,000 copies.

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