Andrew Hobbs

This is an excellent and illuminating book about provincial Victorian newspapers that uses Preston and Barrow-in-Furness as a case studies. Andrew Hobbs skilfully argues the local newspaper's importance in the lives of the working and middle classes, more so than London-based newspapers, which were in no way national at that time. I learnt that more copies of provincial newspapers were sold and read during the period of the book and got a real sense of the dynamic nature of the newspaper business in every town. Where these newspapers are read is described, the reading rooms, clubs and pubs and later in homes and how this reading differed across the classes and genders. Andrew Hobbs also discusses the local newspapers contribution to and place in local identity. This book highlights the need for further historical research of print culture beyond London. I now know more about the background to the local and national newspapers we have today. This is a great read for anyone that has ever sat curled up on the sofa enjoying every page and column of their own local paper.… (mehr)