Description

As a nation we are obsessed with property: prices, interior design and restoration, and the creation of a home. Now there is another avenue to explore: the history of your house.

In this updated second edition, Britain’s leading house historian uncovers the hidden stories and secrets of ordinary and extraordinary homes across the country. Gain a unique insight into our social and architectural history through a wide range of houses, including new stories for this edition, from workers’ cottages to aristocratic mansions. Tudor farmhouses, Georgian mansions and twentieth-century modernist designs all have a tale to tell. From homes once occupied by famous figures such as H.G. Wells and Benjamin Disraeli to details of the everyday lives of people living in railway and fishermen’s cottages, House Histories takes the reader through the centuries of change experienced by each house.

As well as providing a rich insight into the ever-changing past of dwellings up and down the country, House Histories helps readers get started on revealing the heritage of their own homes by outlining the main research sources available, how to use them and providing ample case studies as examples.

Publisher Review

A book that goes out of its way to prove that every house has a story to tell, and what stories. A surprising and often inspiring journey into the past through some of Britain's most fascinating homes. -- Professor David Olusoga A fascinating and beautifully detailed guide to exploring house history, in this exquisitely illustrated book, Mel uncovers wonderful houses, their histories and fascinating residents from Eleanor Rathbone to Ian Fleming. -- Professor Kate Williams A wonderful combination of inspiring stories and practical advice that makes you want to research the history of your own house. -- Dr Nick Barratt Melanie Backe-Hansen's book is an indispensable guide to researching the history of your home. Case studies from her own house histories take the reader through the process step-by-step, illuminating not only changes in the architecture and interiors of ordinary and extraordinary houses through time but also shedding light on the lives of a wide range of occupants from public figures to working men and women. -- Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan