Municipal Dreams by John Boughton
A narrative history of council housing - from slums to Grenfell Tower
Boughton traces this history wellA fine survey of an astonishing achievement. -- Ed Heathcote * Financial Times *
This serious, heartfelt book makes a convincing case that publicly provided homes have to be at least part of the response to the dysfunctional state that British housing has now attained. -- Rowan Moore * Observer *
Illuminates one of the biggest issues of contemporary Britain, the inadequacies of its housing supply. -- Rowan Moore * Observer, Best Books of 2018 *
For the past few years his writing has been an elegant and compendious ongoing exploration of Britain's social history through its council estates. The book celebrates an era during which dreams of shelter and security for all-not just those who could afford to purchase it-were in large part made a reality, and asks us if we oughtn't to consider reviving that dream before it gets destroyed completely . There couldn't be a better time for this book. -- Lynsey Hanley * Guardian *
Detailed history of social housing in the UK. -- Hugh Pearman * Spectator *
Part celebration of housing achievements, part lament for what we have lost, part rallying cry for getting it back, tells a history that too many have forgotten. -- Jules Birch * Inside Housing, Books of the Year *
Required reading . provides a comprehensive history of Britain's council estates [that] challenges the well-worn narrative. -- Anna Minton * Prospect *
Follows the epic story of British council and social housing, from its Victorian origins to Twentieth Century estates, the right to buy and the Grenfell fire. While every page is rich with fascinating detail, Boughton also tells the grand narrative of how modern housing was created for millions, and how that dream has been cynically and carelessly undermined. This is an inspiring read and a necessary corrective to the myths that seek to destroy one of the most important struggles of our times - the drive for decent housing for all. -- John Grinrod, author of Outskirts
It will become a standard tome for students, academics and practitioners...It should be required reading for Jeremy Corbyn, John Healey and whoever is the Conservative Housing Minister this week. * Inside Housing *
This is a hugely timely book, making the case for decent social housing through a detailed and fair-minded history. Everyone should read it. -- Dr Barnabas Calder, author of Raw Concrete
This book is crucial for understanding the state of housing in Britain. Through an impassioned and detailed description of how council housing was created, transformed, and ultimately undermined, Boughton explains the origins of the current crisis. Municipal Dreams proves that an alternative housing system is not only possible, but was once the goal of policymakers, architects, and citizens across the UK-and could be so again. -- David Madden, author of In Defense of Housing
Boughton's forensic history of public housing effectively sets the scene for the Grenfell disaster. * Camden New Journal *
This serious, heartfelt book makes a convincing case that publicly provided homes have to be at least part of the response to the dysfunctional state that British housing has now attained. -- Rowan Moore * Observer *
Illuminates one of the biggest issues of contemporary Britain, the inadequacies of its housing supply. -- Rowan Moore * Observer, Best Books of 2018 *
For the past few years his writing has been an elegant and compendious ongoing exploration of Britain's social history through its council estates. The book celebrates an era during which dreams of shelter and security for all-not just those who could afford to purchase it-were in large part made a reality, and asks us if we oughtn't to consider reviving that dream before it gets destroyed completely . There couldn't be a better time for this book. -- Lynsey Hanley * Guardian *
Detailed history of social housing in the UK. -- Hugh Pearman * Spectator *
Part celebration of housing achievements, part lament for what we have lost, part rallying cry for getting it back, tells a history that too many have forgotten. -- Jules Birch * Inside Housing, Books of the Year *
Required reading . provides a comprehensive history of Britain's council estates [that] challenges the well-worn narrative. -- Anna Minton * Prospect *
Follows the epic story of British council and social housing, from its Victorian origins to Twentieth Century estates, the right to buy and the Grenfell fire. While every page is rich with fascinating detail, Boughton also tells the grand narrative of how modern housing was created for millions, and how that dream has been cynically and carelessly undermined. This is an inspiring read and a necessary corrective to the myths that seek to destroy one of the most important struggles of our times - the drive for decent housing for all. -- John Grinrod, author of Outskirts
It will become a standard tome for students, academics and practitioners...It should be required reading for Jeremy Corbyn, John Healey and whoever is the Conservative Housing Minister this week. * Inside Housing *
This is a hugely timely book, making the case for decent social housing through a detailed and fair-minded history. Everyone should read it. -- Dr Barnabas Calder, author of Raw Concrete
This book is crucial for understanding the state of housing in Britain. Through an impassioned and detailed description of how council housing was created, transformed, and ultimately undermined, Boughton explains the origins of the current crisis. Municipal Dreams proves that an alternative housing system is not only possible, but was once the goal of policymakers, architects, and citizens across the UK-and could be so again. -- David Madden, author of In Defense of Housing
Boughton's forensic history of public housing effectively sets the scene for the Grenfell disaster. * Camden New Journal *
John Boughton has published in the Historian and Labor History and gives talks on housing to a range of audiences. He is involved in a number of housing campaigns and lives in London. His blog is municipaldreams.wordpress.com.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781784787394 |
| ISBN 10 | 1784787396 |
| Title | Municipal Dreams |
| Author | John Boughton |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Verso Books |
| Year published | 2018-04-17 |
| Number of pages | 336 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |