Birmingham: Workshop of the World

Birmingham: The Workshop of the World is the first substantial history of the city to be published for decades. It coincides with 850th anniversary of the granting of Birmingham’s market charter by Henry II in 1166.

This very readable book presents a fascinating picture of Birmingham’s evolution from an insignificant Anglo Saxon hamlet into one of the world’s greatest commercial cities.

Experts explore Birmingham's story from its prehistoric and historic roots into the 16th and 17th century town and a series of distinguished authors show how Birmingham became the "City of a Thousand Trades" and a global model of civic government with a worldwide reputation for scientific discovery, technological innovation and advances in education and the arts.

From early the 20th Century, Birmingham like so many great British cities, faced the challenges of industrial decline, poor housing and significant social problems. Birmingham: The Workshop of the World describes how the city and its people have responded with urban regeneration and redevelopment as well the creation of a post-industrial economy.

Birmingham: The Workshop of the World is published at an exciting time of the city. The cityscape is changing before our eyes; the population is one of the most youthful and dynamic in Europe; and the economy is increasingly global. So, this is the right moment to explore Birmingham’s story so far... and remember its motto "Forward into the Future".

KEYWORDS: Birmingham, Book, Coty of 1000 Trades, Industry, Carl Chinn, Malcolm Dick