Family Britain, 1951-1957

The second volume of David Kynaston's "Tales of a New Jerusalem" series presents a portrait of a nation in transition. Though still an imperial and industrial power with a tradition-bound patriarchal society, the changes that would create the Britain of the 21st century were already underway. Kynaston captures it all in a panoramic view, chronicling the gradual emergence of a consumer society after a decade of wartime-induced austerity, the challenges posed by an increasingly racially diverse society, and the growing concerns over the rebelliousness of youth. All of this is told with a degree of depth and perceptiveness that nonetheless avoids getting bogged down into a morass of details. It is an impressive book, one that rewards readers with fascinating insights gleaned from seemingly trivial details, all of which are recounted in an enjoyable style that will leave the reader eager for the next volume in the series.