State of Emergency: The Way We Were: Britain, 1970-1974

State of Emergency examines Britain during a tumultuous period from 1970-1974, focusing on both political events and social change. The book covers Edward Heath's government, labor disputes, economic challenges, and the transformation of British society. Through extensive research and primary sources, Sandbrook reconstructs the atmosphere of an era marked by industrial strikes, power cuts, and the three-day work week. The narrative moves between high-level politics, economic policy decisions, and snapshots of daily life for ordinary citizens. The text incorporates media coverage, popular culture, and personal accounts to build a complete picture of British life during these years. Major events like the miners' strikes and Britain's entry into the European Economic Community are presented alongside changes in fashion, entertainment, and social attitudes. This history offers insights into how nations respond to crisis and how societies process rapid change. The period's tensions between tradition and modernization continue to resonate with contemporary political and social debates.

Readers value Sandbrook's detailed research and ability to weave social history with political events of 1970s Britain. Many note his engaging writing style makes complex economic issues accessible. Likes: - Coverage of cultural elements alongside political history - Personal accounts and anecdotes that capture daily life - Clear explanations of the miners' strikes and energy crisis - Balanced treatment of Edward Heath's government Dislikes: - Length and detail sometimes becomes excessive - Focus skews toward politics over social history - Some repetition between chapters - Limited coverage of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (196 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (89 reviews) Sample review: "Brings the period alive through well-chosen details and memories. Sometimes gets bogged down in political minutiae but overall captures both the crisis atmosphere and the ordinary experiences of the time." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔷 The book covers a particularly turbulent period in British history marked by nationwide strikes, power cuts, and the Three-Day Week - when commercial users of electricity were limited to three specified consecutive days' consumption each week. 🔷 Author Dominic Sandbrook was born in 1974, the year this history ends, and has become one of Britain's most prominent popular historians despite his relatively young age. 🔷 The early 1970s period covered saw Britain join the European Economic Community (EEC), which would later become the European Union - making the book particularly relevant to modern Brexit discussions. 🔷 The title "State of Emergency" refers to the five separate states of emergency declared by Edward Heath's government during this period - more than any other similar timespan in modern British history. 🔷 The book explores how British popular culture thrived despite the economic crisis, with the rise of glam rock, emergence of iconic shows like Monty Python, and the growing influence of television in British homes.