Whatever Happened to the Real Black Country?: Black Country Chronicles 1939-1999

This book covers the daily lives of ordinary working-class people from the outbreak of the Second World War to the end of the century. It attempts to detail every aspect of day-to-day living in the Black Country during this period, from the impact of the war on family lifestyles, marriage, courting, National Service and teenage years, as well as a description of a typical domestic week for housewives. The impact that new innovations, such as the wirelesses, television and cinema, had on society and family life plus the challenges that existed after the war with slum housing and shortages of food and other goods are all explored. The book also details appalling health conditions, pollution, childhood games and hobbies, morality and crime in the region, before finally taking a look at the decline of the region’s crucial industries. AUTHOR: Tom Larkin is a proud Black Country man who has a passionate interest in the region and its people. Before it sadly folded, Tom was an active member of the Black Country Memories Club, an organisation devoted to keeping local history alive. As he is retired, Tom has plenty of time to research Black Country history, and enjoys writing books and giving talks on the subject. This is his third book on the area. He lives in Willenhall, West Midlands.
30 b/w illustrations