Shocking History of Bristol

by Derek Robinson

1973 was a big year for Bristol. It marked 600 years as a city and county. The thunder of civic self-congratulation was deafening. But Derek Robinson didn’t buy it. Not all of it, anyway. The born-and-bred Bristolian knew that during the past 600 years, the city and county had generated its fair share of blood and thunder. So he wrote this book, first published in 1973, to help balance the story. The result was a book that inspired a generation of young Bristolians. Robinson challenged the establishment narrative taught in the city’s schools that Edward Colston was a benefactor, that the slave trade wasn’t really that bad and that over the centuries the city had been run for the benefit of its people under the benign patronage of the Corporation and the Society Of Merchant Venturers. Tangent Books is proud to introduce A Shocking History Of Bristol to a new generation.

Genres: History

Paperback

First published December 31, 1973

About the author

Derek Robinson is a British author best known for his military aviation novels full of black humour. He has also written several books on some of the more sordid events in the history of Bristol, his home town, as well as guides to rugby. He was nominated for the Booker Prize in 1971 for his first novel, 'Goshawk Squadron.'

After attending Cotham Grammar School, Robinson served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter plotter, during his National Service. He has a History degree from Cambridge University, where he attended Downing College, has worked in advertising in the UK and the US and as a broadcaster on radio and television. He was a qualified rugby referee for over thirty years and is a life member of Bristol Society of Rugby Referees. He was married in 1964

Reviews

[Steven R]

A nice counter history to a lot of the self congratulation that the city often gives itself. Liked the section on the disappearance of Bristol as a major shipping point through the greed of rate collectors. Could do with more materialism.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I'm not finishing the last couple of pages. I now need a book on the wonderfully great parts of Bristol's history, because this sure left a nasty taste in my mouth. From the slave trade to the idiots of The Corporation to shilly-shallying soldiers, there's a lot of #fail in the history of this city.

The writer is very good.