Customs in Common: Studies in Traditional Popular Culture

Synopsis

The &“meticulously researched, elegantly argued and deeply humane&” sequel to the landmark volume of social history, The Making of the English Working Class (The New York Times Book Review). This remarkable study investigates the gradual disappearance of a range of cultural customs against the backdrop of the great upheavals of the eighteenth century. As villagers were subjected to a legal system increasingly hostile to custom, they tried both to resist and to preserve tradition, becoming, as E. P. Thompson explains, &“rebellious, but rebellious in defense of custom.&” Although some historians have written of riotous peasants of England and Wales as if they were mainly a problem for magistrates and governments, for Thompson it is the rulers, landowners, and governments who were a problem for the people, whose exuberant culture preceded the formation of working-class institutions and consciousness. Essential reading for all those intrigued by English history, Customs in Common has a special relevance today, as traditional economies are being replaced by market economies throughout the world. The rich scholarship and depth of insight in Thompson&’s work offer many clues to understanding contemporary changes around the globe. &“[This] long-awaited collection . . . is a signal contribution . . . [from] the person most responsible for inspiring the revival of American labor history during the past thirty years.&” —The Nation &“This book signals the return to historical writing of one of the most eloquent, powerful and independent voices of our time. At his best he is capable of a passionate, sardonic eloquence which is unequalled.&” —The Observer

Copyright:

1993

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

Book Size:

560 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781620972168

Related ISBNs:

9781565840034

Publisher:

The New Press

Date of Addition:

12/16/24

Copyrighted By:

E. P. Thompson

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Social Studies

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.