Made in Manchester: A people’s history of the city that shaped the modern world

A rich and vivid history of Britain's second city through the people who made it ‘What Manchester thinks today, England thinks tomorrow.’ Long before Manchester gave the world titans of industry, comedy, music and sport, it was the cosmopolitan Roman fort of Mamucium. But it was as the ‘shock city’ of the Industrial Revolution that Manchester really made its mark on the world stage. A place built on hard work and innovation, it is no coincidence that the digital age began here too, with the world’s first stored-program computer, Baby. A city as radical as it is revolutionary, Manchester has always been a political hotbed. The Peterloo Massacre is immortalised in British folklore and the city was a centre for pioneering movements such as Chartism. Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst hailed from here and the city still treasures its wilful independence. Manchester’s spirited individuality has carried through into its artistic output too, bringing the world Anthony Burgess, L.S. Lowry, Jeanette Winterson, Joy Division and Oasis. Mention United or City almost anywhere and you’ll find fans, and opinions. Until now, this magnificent city did not have its definitive history. From the author of the bestselling Northerners, this work of unrivalled authority and breadth tells the story of a changing place and its remarkable people. Brian Groom's Made in Manchester is a captivating exploration of a city that has left an indelible mark on Europe's historical, social, and cultural fabric. From its pre-industrial beginnings to its current status as a top destination for sports, music, and innovation, this non-fiction book offers a comprehensive biography of a city that continues to shape the world. For fans of Ian Mortimer (The Time Traveller's Guide to Regency Britain), Alex Niven (The North Will Rise Again), Tom Holland (Athelstan), Alice Roberts (The Little Book of Humanism), and Marc Morris (The Anglo-Saxons). HarperCollins 2024 In Made in Manchester, Brian Groom masterfully weaves together the threads of biography, history, and science to create a popular and engaging narrative. This new book is a top choice for anyone interested in the rich tapestry of Manchester's past and present. For fans of Jeremy Paxman (Great Britain's Great War), Ian Mortimer (The Time Traveller's Guide to Regency Britain), Tom Holland (Dynasty), Matthew Green (Shadowlands), and Tim Marshall (Divided). HarperCollins 2024