Glasgow: Going for a Song

by Seán Damer

Over the last decase Glasgow's reputation has swung from being the home of gang violence and unemployemnt to being a vibrant and bustling cultural centre, a sea change epitomised by it being declared European City of Culture in 1990. What lies behind the change of image? In this lively and witty dissection of the city's social, cultural and political life, Sean Damer looks behind the marketing hype at a Glasgow which has always been a lively and stimulating city. The Glasgow he reveals is home to religious sectarianism and poor housing, but also to an internationally famous sense of humour, an intense local pride and a celebration of language that are second to none.

Genres: Scotland

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Now retired, Dr. Seán Damer was an academic sociologist for over 30 years, latterly a Senior Research Fellow in the University of Glasgow. He is passionately interested in the urban history of Glasgow and has authored numerous scholarly articles and books such as Glasgow: Going for a Song and Scheming: A History of Glasgow Council Housing 1919-1956. His interest in the Irish Connection stems from his own extensive research into the social history of the city, and the rich oral history of his own family.

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. A very partisan, pithy history of Glasgow's working class, focusing especially on work and housing. Since it was published over 30 years ago, reading the conclusion is a bit of a trip. The decline of Labour had already happened (at the time of writing, local Labour-led councils were enforcing the Tories' Poll Tax, to which there was great resistance in this city), and Damer sees the election of an SNP MP in Govan in 1988 (although this seat had already briefly been held by the SNP) as the possible beginning of the end of Labour hegemony on Clydeside. And so it would turn out to be. I would LOVE to read an updated history of Glasgow's work and housing given everything that's happened since 1990.

[Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read, but talks pish and bashes Willie Gallacher and the Red Clydeside. Tries to conflate the “sexism and elitism of the”
right wing of the Glasgow Labour Party with the “Stalinist” Glasgow Communist Party.
Usual spiel about Weegie patter etc