Full Steam Ahead: How the Railways Made Britain

by Peter Ginn, Ruth Goodman

The Age of Railways was an era of extraordinary change which utterly transformed every aspect of British life - from trade and transportation to health and recreation. Full Steam Ahead will reveal how the world we live in today was entirely shaped by the rail network, charting the glorious evolution of rail transportation and how it left its mark on every aspect of life, landscape and culture. Peter Ginn and Ruth Goodman brilliantly bring this revolution to life in their trademark style which engages and captivates. They explore the everyday lives and the intangible ephemeral history that makes up the stories of the people who built, worked and were affected by the railways. From the very first steam railways to the infrastructure that is still used in part today, they look at the men, women and children who lived and sometimes died constructing Britain's railway heritage. Immersing themselves in the story of how the railways made us what we are today, the authors uncover compelling social history along the way, exploring the railway's impact on everything from food and medicine to warfare and the class system.

They tell the stories of the historic characters whose lives were changed by this radical mode of transport, describing the wider social history and geography of each particular region of Britain. As they trace the emergence of the Industrial Revolution across the country, the authors discover a hidden layer of social history, using rail transportation as a backdrop to reveal Britain's radical change in social attitudes and culture across the 19th and early 20th centuries, including the rise of the working class, women's rights, industrial growth, economic decline, warfare and the birth of the great British holiday. Beautifully illustrated with photographs and artwork throughout, Full Steam Ahead is a passionate, charming and insightful look at Britain through the lens of one of its most momentous eras.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Microhistory, Audiobook, 19th Century, Historical, Railways

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2016

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so we move on to the latest book from Ruth Goodman - although again here the book has been written by one of her co-hosts. This time the format of the series changes from being a living diary to an exploration.

The series took an aspect of the railways and explored it from commerce to communication and holidaying and leisure.

I think what impressed me the most is the connection I can still feel to this era - no I am not that old but I grew up in a village where the impact of the railway and in fact one of its branch lines was very much evident and felt. Of course my parents still remember the steam engines and one of my colleagues volunteers at one of the heritage centres featured. So far from being dead and gone steam is very much alive and present.

So on to the book - again rather than adding to the series we find more material to support the various subjects - as the introduction explains this book contains a lot of information that was not able to get in to the TV show - so reading this book you feel as if you are in a privilege position.

Another feature of this book and in fact all the books from these series are the sumptuous photographs from period images, to the recreations and technical demonstrations you can really connect with what they are trying to get across - something I think is quite difficult considering how imposing a steam engine can be.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a TV series and showing signs of it. Covering interesting topics, like the age of railways -- actually, they existed long before trains -- the importance of slate roofs, transportation of people and the invention of tickets (in an era where everyone gave credit, you had to pay, and prove you paid), the zigzagging effect on agriculture, the effect on leisure of feasible travel, the transportation of mail order goods, and more.

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to come :)

[Jayne Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read packed full of information on the importance of steam engines and the railway system to Britain for its industry and leisure

[Laura-Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is added information to the popular BBC living history TV show with Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn, and Ruth Goodman. Read by the two authors, Peter and Ruth.

Full Steam Ahead discusses how the advancements of train travel spurred on the industrial revolution and touched EVERY aspect of life in the UK. To say it holds a wealth of information is a gross understatement for both this book and the TV series it is based on, which has three historical experts thrust back to recreate and experience what life would have been like during this time period in Scotland, Wales and England.

This audiobook is definitely a case of "too much, but not enough". It serves to enhance and add things that there wasn't enough time to show in the TV series but misses the thing which makes the show version so great. It's spontaneity. Although the enthusiasm for the subject comes through while Peter and Ruth take turns narrating the following chapters, they are READING it not LIVING it. What has made their series of living history documentaries so wildly popular is that through the years and previous series these three people have gone from colleagues to friends to family. Not just obviously to each other but to us the viewers as well. Funny, informative, poignant, thoughtful, and heartfelt describe the show but are elements missing from the book and therefore you are left feeling unsatisfied.

But if you've seen the series, Full Steam Ahead, and can't get enough of this sweet and unique "family" of historians run amok, go for the book in audio or paper. But it will never take the place of watching them attempt to fulfill their hearts' desires; bringing the past to life to understand those who lived it ... and ourselves.

TV Series with Alex Langlands, Peter Ginn, and Ruth Goodman:
(Currently available for free viewing on YouTube)

Full Steam Ahead
Tales of the Green Valley
Victorian Farm
Edwardian Farm
Wartime Farm and
Secrets of the Castle

Thank you for reading my review and I hope you avail yourself of the opportunity to watch these warm, entertaining and somewhat addictive series' as well. Be prepared for some binge-viewing that's safe for the entire family.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

PS. Ruth Goodman is my hero. I want to be her when I grow up. 😊

[Kb · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

Loved the series on TV, and I also loved the book. They are largely similar in the information they contain, but the book, of necessity, concentrates more on telling rather than showing. Both have their merits. Unfortunately, the book didn’t mention rhubarb, so I couldn’t give it 5 stars.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I "read" the audiobook version of this, and I think that might be in part why it didn't work for me as much as the television show did. I was hoping that the audiobook would capture the brilliance that Ginn and Goodman have as performers, but found their reading styles to be so much more formal and stilted compared to their engaging presence on screen. Goodman especially becomes quiet and staid as a reader, in complete contrast to the energetic, fascinated, passionate personality she has on television. That was probably the biggest disappointment, and makes me wish I'd read the hardcopy instead.

The book covers a lot of the same ground as the eponymous series did, albeit adding detail that couldn't be incorporated into an hour-long video format. It also does its chapters centered around the same themes as each of the episodes, which means there is some amount of jumping around in time period. I personally think the book could have been organized differently and it would have worked better than just repurposing the structure enforced by the necessity of self-contained television episodes.

On the whole, though, it's an informative book with lots of entertaining and interesting details about the golden age of steam and how the echos of that period still structure modern society. As with all of the "Farm" team's work, I definitely still recommend it. It's just not their most brilliant work, though that still leaves it head-and-shoulders above much other popular history!

[Gabriele Della Torre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ottimo titolo per comprendere a fondo la rivoluzione che ha portato la ferrovia a tutti gli ambiti della vita.
Partendo dalle prime ferrovie specializzate si arriva alla rete che ancora oggi sostiene la Gran Bretagna.
Libro molto interessante in quanto non si occupa soltanto della parte tecnica.

[Aqua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative if you want to learn about steam engines in Britain, but a bit dry to listen to. I much prefer Ruth and Peter's BBC shows where you can see them experiencing all the things they're teaching you about.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might not know I needed to read about about how the railways shaped Britain but I'm very glad I read this book. Thoroughly researched and captivatingly written, I read this with my 11 year old and we both enjoyed it.

[A.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and comprehensive.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watched the TV series, now read the book. Fantastic!

[Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and if you like this you should try The Domestic Revolution, a book about coal.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite portrayals of the history of the rail. Very fascinating, educational, and beautiful.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've watched the show and enjoyed it enough to buy the book. I've liked all the "Farm" series books & shows and like those other books this is written in parts by all 3 presenters. Unlike those other ones this gave far more info about the situation and less about the Peter, Alex & Ruth's reactions to it. I found this book much more informative about the changes railways brought about in society than the 'farm' books were about wider society. Excellent read. Recommend both the show and the book

[Melanie Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely makes more sense to listen as a companion piece to the program.