English Society in the Eighteenth Century

By: Roy Porter

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this boldly drawn portrait of 18th-century England, Roy Porter defines a nation from its princes to its paupers, from its metropolis to its smallest hamlet. The topics covered run the gamut, covering diet, housing, prisons, rural festivals, bordellos, plays, paintings, and work and wages.

Roy Porter's new edition of his celebrated book of English cultural history was revised in light of changes in the climate of debate that occurred in the seven years after its first publication.

©1990 Roy Porter (P)2005 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Vivid, witty, and entertaining...easily the best general account of eighteenth-century society that we have." ( New York Review of Books)

A ton of information

The listener has to be prepared to create their own "total picture" out of an enormous amount of information and statistics that the author provides for you. There is very little story telling to this, but if you are willing to create your own understanding of the period out of a lot of information this will do the trick. The information is certainly provided clearly enough--just not as much help in interpreting it all as I might have liked.

Excellent

Porter's books were always good and this is no exception. Themes are examined across a number of aspects of eighteenth century English History and Porter manages to mix entertainment and education. This was a set text when I was covering this period at University last year

A Critique of a Period

I found this book narrow in scope--a critique of the period, rather than an attempt to put the period in context. For example, the section on women had one main point: women had little power in England in the eighteenth century. Hardly a surprise. The author returns again and again to the point that the government was corrupt, and that the class system was dominant. I accept the premise--but was hoping for a broader discussion of art, music, philosophy, literature, architecture---all windows into a deeper understanding of history.

Worth multiple listens

This is the third time that I have listened to this social history of the 18th century. I like it just as much now, as the first. It is very much like the time traveler books by Ian Mortimer without the kitsch. For students and lovers of history alike.

Fantastic and Interesting

This is a very immersive introduction to the period and while there is a lot of information presented, you do, by the end of it have a great understanding of the extravagance, pride and poverty of this time in English history. It is not for those that would rather a narrative experience and are looking for one cohesive point of view (however any historian will tell you there is no such thing). I found it eye opening and interesting, from the revelation that hanging 7 year olds was seen as just (the case of a little girl who stole a petticoat) to the extravagance of English politics. A worthwhile experience, I came away with a well rounded view of the time.

Disappointing

THe book is presented as being thoughtfully laid out, specific subjects to be presented in each chapter etc..
Hardly. Instead I found it distractingly choppy and disorganized. It was impossible to learn much from this as a cohesive thought or point is rarely completed before another 'quote' from yet another individual is interjected. I have decided it is not worth my time to finish it.

love english society novels

Would you listen to English Society in the Eighteenth Century again? Why?

yes - very curious about this era in English society

What was one of the most memorable moments of English Society in the Eighteenth Century?

the monarchy

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I always try to find books read by Simon Vance because he is such a perfectionist

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

it was almost all very interesting

Any additional comments?

I would like to find other novels of similar subject

Too much detail

Although I'm interested in the subject, it went into too much detail for me as a layman historian. It might be good for the scholars who thrive on the details that most of us aren't interested in.

Academic as heck

This is a wonderful source for academics studying the 18th century. By no means light reading, it is incredibly dense historical information compiled into one source. wonderful for further discussion on social hierarchy and the increasing wealth gap of the times!

Excellent entertaining and thorough.

Covered all aspects. Well researched. Was actually fun to listen to. Learned a great deal. Fast paced and not boring history. Recommend it.

Sprawling - in a good way

Porter tackles a century that saw huge changes in England and manages to strike a beautiful balance between painting a sort of crowd scene of scientists, dandies, yeomen farmers, actresses, dissolute nobels and forward thinking social reformers while giving us enough detail about personalities to make us lean in and really look at the faces in the crowd.

A fine and interesting book

The C18th has always been a bit of a gap in my historical knowledge and this fine book from Roy Porter proved a great way to fill it. Interesting stories, entertainingly told and unobstrusively narrated by Simon Vance. A good effort all round.

A must read on eighteenth century

It has irrevocably changed my perception of the eighteenth century. Before listening to this book I had read many novels, plays as well as biographies and histories from this period, so I was surprised at how much of a revelation this account of the 1700s was to me. It is packed full of facts and figures that contextualise events in a way that seems quite comprehensive. This book had been recommended to me about six years previous and I didn't realise what a good recommendation it was until now. Prepare to be fascinated!

Excellent!

Beautifully narrated by Simon Vance, this well researched, descriptive book provides a fascinating insight into Eighteenth Century England

Beautifully written, beautifully read

This is a wonderful in-depth description of life in the 18th century. The prose is remarkably elegant and Simon Vance reads it beautifully with a clear, mellifluous voice. Great job!

Dry, dull and boring

Chapter one is an introduction that drones on like a pity party and the rest of the book is enough to make commit suicide from boredom and torture