Modernity Britain: A Shake of the Dice, 1959-62

Modernity Britain (Tales of a New Jerusalem) #2

by David Kynaston

David Kynaston’s history of post-war Britain has so far taken us from the radically reforming Labour governments of the late 1940s in Austerity Britain, through the growing prosperity of Family Britain’s more placid 1950s, to the very cusp of the 1960s and the coming of a new Zeitgeist in Modernity Britain. The first part, Opening the Box, 1957–59, plotted the main themes of the new spirit of the age. Now, in part two – A Shake of the Dice, 1959–62 – through a rich haul of diaries, letters, newspapers and many other sources, Kynaston gets up close to a turbulent era as the speed of social change accelerated.

By 1959 consumerism was inexorably taking hold (stripes for Signal toothpaste, flavours for potato crisps), relative economic decline was becoming the staple of political discourse (entry into Europe increasingly seen as our salvation), immigration was turning into an ever-hotter issue (the controversial coming of controls), traditional norms of morality were perceived as under serious threat (Lady Chatterley's Lover freely on sale after the famous case), and traditional working-class culture was changing (wakes weeks in decline, the end of the maximum wage for footballers) even as Coronation Street established itself as a national institution. The greatest shake of the dice, though, concerned urban redevelopment: city centres were being yanked into the age of the motor car, slum clearance was intensified, and the skyline became studded with brutalist high-rise boxes. Some of this transformation was necessary, but too much would destroy communities and leave a harsh, fateful legacy.

This profoundly important story of the period of transformation from the old to the brink of a new world is now told brilliantly and in full for the first time.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sociology

465 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2014

About the author

David Kynaston was born in Aldershot in 1951. He has been a professional historian since 1973 and has written eighteen books, including The City of London (1994-2001), a widely acclaimed four-volume history, and W.G.'s Birthday Party, an account of the Gentleman vs. the Players at Lord's in July 1898. He is the author of Austerity Britain, 1945-51, the first title in a series of books covering the history of post-war Britain (1945-1979) under the collective title "Tales of a New Jerusalem".

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still slowly meandering my way through David Kynaston's history of post-war Britain. This volume takes the reader from 1959 to 1962 and, as with previous volumes the author concentrates on personal diaries, housing, politics and popular culture.

In 1959, the Conservatives had won three elections in succession. The Labour leader, Hugh Gaitskell, wanted to drop 'nationalisation,' move away from the trade unions and even considered losing the name, 'Labour Party,' mirroring the constant attempts of the Labour Party to make itself electable ('New Labour,' and Tony Blair being the last time the party got into power).

Princess Margaret was married, the fledgling Beatles backed Johnny Gentle on a tour of Scotland, went to Hamburg, started playing the Cavern and later found a manager and set out to gain a record contract. Unaware of what was about to hit them, Cliff Richard remained in the ascendancy, with Helen Shapiro the top British female artist and Trad Jazz still popular. Beyond the Fringe made its first appearance, there was the trial of D.H. Lawrence's, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover,' challenging the obscenity laws and the famous quote showing how out of touch the establishment was, 'Is it a book that you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?'

Rows about housing and education rumbled on, as did issues about immigration. Shopping centres and tower blocks were build without concern for local wishes, while consumerism grew. By 1960, 79% of adults had a television, but only 40% a washing machine and 21% a fridge. However, a nation happy to forget rationing, delighted in more choice. There was 'striped' toothpaste, 'ready-salted,' crisps and the first cheese and onion flavour made its appearance by the end of this book. Lego, carrier bags, Persil, Maxwell House, Sunblest were some of the new products on the market as food consumption increased. People were able to eat out and discovered Angus steak houses, Chinese restaurants and supermarkets. Local shops lost loyalty (previously, ration books were linked to one local grocer, butcher, etc. and so people tended to use the most local) and the horrors of rationing were gradually being forgotten.

By the end of this volume, Britain stood on the cusp of the Sixties. I look forward to reading, On the Cusp: Days of '62.

[John Ollerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needs to .be read with the internet on hand to remind oneself of the people and events half forgotten.

[Bevan Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having dipped into the first book of Modernity Britain (Opening the Box) I couldn't resist reading A Shake of the Dice when my preorder arrived. With probably a couple of years at least until the next chunk of the sixties appears I'll have time to start the series with Austerity Britain.
Kynaston's style is to riff at the beginning of a chapter with a kaleidoscope of impressions, events and facts, edging towards a theme which is dealt with in depth. This is not the history of writers such as Eric Hobsbawm or Niall Ferguson, swooping above the landscape looking at the big trends and pointing out their vision of cause and effect. Rather it is history viewed through the keyhole, up close and personal with memories that defined the time for those there. It is almost voyeuristic with the telling and personal observations of diarists and sociologists.
The vision of the time is painted both with fact (some almost perversely trivial) providing colour as well as details of popular culture and sport. Those who lived through it will undoubtedly enjoy those moments of memory. For those of us for whom this is history taking us into the "past as another country" it gives a richly textured feel for the time, both how different as well as how many recognisable features were present or originated then.
Although Kynaston's interpretation barely features he is telling a story. The reader has the pleasure of picking out the elements of that story through observation and reflection, possible as he moves through the story at an almost glacial pace (390 pages for three years). Modernity Britain is a good title as the period definitely marks a sea change leaving behind the stasis of the postwar decade. The rewards and reaction to a very swiftly developing consumer society that changes social behaviour, the definition of community and ways of life are the centerpiece of the story. Against this backdrop we already see the Left, creators of the "New Jerusalem" that gave the title to this series of books, beginning to lose their relevance to their constituency and begin questioning their identity and purpose. This is also still the story of a paternalistic society, where the Planners are assumed to know what is best and are able to impose their solutions with little consultation. It is a time of greater participation if women in the workplace but not in the reigns of power, of questioning of whether Britain's industry can succeed and of swiftly growing changes in the makeup of society with immigration.
Kynaston will leave you thinking about the changes of this period. The old guard at the top were still secure in their place, and already the idealism of a collective redistributionist society launched by the Atlee government can be seen to be receding. It is being replaced by the pursuit of individual happiness through possessions and the joys of mass culture.
The book is well complemented by Dominic Sandbrook's "Never Had It So Good" which takes a broader view and has a very well written, more narrative approach.
For a summary of what its all about read the riff at the beginning of Chapter 10 - "modernity - no longer 'soft' instead 'hard' ... slums being cleared ... high-rise everywhere ... good intentions compromised by hubris. .. a shake of the dice - and landing, who knew where? "

[Ade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I previously called the first volume of Modernity Britain, covering 1957-59, 'transitional' and unfortunately the term extends to cover this one as well. Quite often, it devolves into a list or summary of cherrypicked events that collectively might illuminate some aspect of the period but are often frustratingly short of detail where more is required.

I don't believe this is entirely Kynaston's fault, particularly in view of his excellent work on the previous decade. It's just that there are few signature events over this period to build a narrative around, just steadily growing affluence and an overall sense of satisfaction with the state of the country, although against a rising undercurrent of concern that troubles were being stored up. For example, while the Lady Chatterley trial receives some coverage (there being little new to add by now), we don't even reach Profumo here (the main events of the scandal are mentioned in passing as they took place in 1962, but they went unnoticed until the affair blew up the following year). Macmillan and his government are largely content to pursue business as usual, hoping only to avoid egregious mishap, so consequently there is little of political interest either. (I even found myself going back to re-read sections of Austerity Britain in parallel, seeking to extract more meaning from the comparison.)

That said, Kynaston continues to follow his regular diarists to the usual rewarding effect, and he covers the mania for redevelopment in more detail than ever as councils, planners and developers eagerly razed slums and town centres in a studied dash towards 'modernity' - with little reference to those most directly affected by it. Indeed, it is possible to glean some sympathy towards this movement despite its effects too often seeming criminal in retrospect. By this time, the British people had known Victorian-era architecture and gloomy, soot-stained edifices their entire lives; one can understand why they might feel the need for change, for more space and light and cleaner forms, even if the eventual answers frequently fell short and failed to preserve the best of the past (goodbye Euston Arch).

Followers of this excellent series will not want to skip this book, and will still find much to enjoy (or mourn). But like Britain at the time, I find myself eagerly anticipating the Sixties.

(If you still haven't read the previous volume of Modernity Britain, wait for the combined edition in Dec 2014.)

[Trevor Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review contains spoilers.

The book comprises two main sections. One is a day to day account of events, of a social nature, culled from such sources as newspapers, TV listings and personal diaries. The other is an analysis of political issues of the day including: housebuilding, race relations, education and town planning.

What struck me is that some of those issues are still being discussed today today, for example : the aversion to living in high rise flats and the high level of immigration.

Some attitudes of the time have, thankfully, changed over the intervening years: the extent of racism or the cavalier attitude to preserving old buildings. I was also struck by the appalling conditions in which many people particularly in the inner cities of Northern England and Scotland were forced to live.

Well researched, but there is just too much material to absorb. Sometimes, one cannot see the wood for the trees.

[Tom Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. The way that David Kynaston presents major events and huge social changes as seen through the eyes of ordinary people is incredible gripping. This is a series of very dense reads, but each book is utterly fascinating.

[Neal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social history as an endlessly fascinating scrolling picture viewer. Life as seen from high and low and from the weirder fringes of society. Kynaston is a roving reporter from our past and his series of books are a superb achievement. Always compulsive and often very amusing.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're an Anglophile and modern history lover, Kynaston's multi-volume, practically day-by-day account of post-war England is your cup of tea. It's certainly mine.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great social history book in the ongoing series

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful capturing of the country I was born into. Uplifting and heartbreaking by turn.

[Bookthesp1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second volume of "Modernity Britain" (though now available as one book). It is, as always with Kynaston an excellent read and in my view superior to its companion volume "Opening the Box 1957-59). In this weighty book Kynaston seems a little more relaxed and expansive whilst enjoying constructing the intricate tapestry of words, diary entries, quotes from memoirs and autobiographies and commentary than make up the text. As always he is deeply interested in the physical regeneration of cities and the programme of building works that saw city centres being remodelled by the likes of T Dan Smith, Poulson and others known now to be notoriously corrupt officials. Then they appeared to be heroes fighting the good fight of building the future against those who only saw desecration in the bulldozers and high rise blueprints.
There is also an excellent section on the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the economy at that time and its future in a European or global environment. The question of Europe is there as well and there is a memo not made public available at the time, suggesting that we would have to give up or risk losing some of our sovereignty and rights to join the EU. Fascinating stuff to read now when we are in the throws of a similar debate with enormous long term consequences. Infact reading this volume I was struck time and time again by the debates then being the same debates we are having now- over the leadership of the Labour Party or that too many members of the cabinet went to Oxbridge.
There are also the diarists- huge fun at times with their complaints and fickleness. Nella Last is perhaps now overused but the others are a delight giving an almost Larkinesque flavour to the whole tone of the book- fickle and picky and at the same time often right! Larkin himself is there too as are other artists.
There is also a section on racial tensions and debates about immigration- once again strikingly similar to debates we are having now though in the context of post-war movement as well as post-colonial fallout.
This is all stylishly put together with some lovely touches and a clever use of memoirs and news reportage often from local sources.
David Kynaston reveals at the end of the book that he has survived a cancer scare which perhaps provides the explanation for the initial publication of this book in two volumes when its predecessors had all been one volume brick like megaliths. I questioned in my review of Opening the Box what had happened to publish a volume that only covered two years and in the end notes of this we get a hint of an explanation- a health scare thankfully overcome. We have the post-war NHS to thank for that and I hope Kynaston is working hard on the next book which is to be called Opportunity Britain....In this volume he has come up with a consistent score of six in his very own shake of the dice.

[Jenny]

I dipped in and out of this book more than I have the previous ones - partly because I've been reading other books alongside it. It's so interesting to see the atmosphere of the early sixties and think about the changes that were so radical in retrospect and yet so slow as we lived them between the end of this book and the end of the sixties. I grew up in Hull, where the swinging sixties really didn't hit until 1970 anyway. I think David Kynaston does a terrific job of exploring those areas of the country which weren't London and showing what was happening there. In retrospect, so much of the early sixties in so much of the country wasn't that different from the fifties. I am looking forward to the continuation of this series.

[Derek Collett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read all of 'Tales of a New Jerusalem' so far, I can say that David Kynaston maintains his usual high standard in this latest volume. As usual, I generally preferred reading about the 'low art' (television, radio, books, films, etc.) than some of the more serious socio-political topics he discusses. In particular, a very long chapter about new housing towards the end of the book left me bored and frustrated. But myriad attractions lie elsewhere and much of the detail is, as always, fascinating. Keep going Mr. K!

[Damien G · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best modern history books it allows one to hear the voices of sixties and realise that the post war world is undergoing a social transformation and that Britain is moving away from the staid life of the fifties

[Risto Pyykkö · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kynaston continues his magisterial survey of post-war Britain, but sometimes allow his Blue Labour roots to show too clearly.

[Martin Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply superb, like all the others so far in this engrossing series about the way we were, and not so long ago.

[Adrian]

The fourth volume of the author's social history of post-war Britain. This is Kynaston's usual mix of topics spiced with diary entries. The Labour Party is in the wilderness after three consecutive election losses and questioning their policy of nationalization, the shock of the decline in manufacturing is taking hold, significant immigration from the W. Indies and Pakistan is causing ruptions especially within the working classes. In the arts and entertainment world Coronation Street airs for the first time and becomes a hit, the demise of comedian Tony Hancock continues. England is deciding whether to join the EEC. The Wolfenden Report makes no progress on homosexual rights. But by far the biggest issue in this book is urban renewal. Cities across Britain were tearing down row housing and putting up council estates and high rise flats. This changed the face of Britain forever.