How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams

I wanted to read How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams* because I studied economic history last year and I liked the subject a lot. On top of that the author’s great grandfather exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851. That made the book too enticing to miss and I’m glad I didn’t because it’s great.

How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams

The book covers the period from 1850 to 1950, the last chapter being on the Festival of Britain of 1951. It’s a wonderfully circular structure, to start with the Great Exhibition and finish with the Festival of Britain. With wars, including both world wars, and disruption to supply chains, advances in technology, changes in manufacturing, this book had to cover a lot of information and it does it beautifully. It’s easy to read, explained clearly and engaging.

Many topics are covered, from steam power which was still in its infancy in the 1850s to the Mallard of the 1930s, covered developments in communication, the sewing machine, bicycles, cars and aeroplanes. He covers the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, which were interesting to read about. Germany had a leading role when it came to dyestuff, but the war changed that, of course.

This is a very good book, one I would recommend to anyone, without any doubt.

How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams

Details about the picture: –
My rating: 5/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes
Published by: Pen & Sword History
Year it was published: 2022
Format: Hardcover
Genre(s): History
Pages: 256

About the author: Phil Hamlyn Williams’s great grandfather exhibited at the Great Exhibition; his grandfather was an inventor and his father spearheaded the mechanisation of the British Army in WW2 and then was a leader in the motor industry. Phil has most recently written Dunkirk to D-Day about The Men of the RAOC and Re-arming the British Army. This followed War on Wheels and Ordnance in which he explored the role of British Manufacturing in the two world wars. Building on these, and his studies of the Industrial Revolution and the Interwar period as part of his BA as a mature student in 2008, he now brings this and extensive further research to tell this story.
Website & Social Media Links: Pen and Sword

*I was sent a copy of How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.



4 thoughts on “How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams”

  • I am thrilled to read your review of my book I am so pleased your enjoyed it and found it helpful.

    • Thank you for reading the review and leaving a comment. It’s nice of you to take the time. I enjoyed the book a lot.

  • It sounds like a well-organized book. It also sounds like the kind of book I might have preferred in school as opposed to some of the drier texts we used.
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    • It’s a shame that history is not taught more engaging at school, because it’s so fascinating.

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