Aberdeen is a city shaped by its geography, climate and architecture. Like the land from which it grew, its projects qualities of hard work and fortitude, firm solidity, self-confidence and aspiration. It is a city with a character and personality that reflects its people. Conservative and canny in some senses, it has often been radical and inovative in its This book provides an understanding of the changes that have taken place in Aberdeen's economic and social structure since 1800, from the age of textiles to the age of oil. It analyzes changes in work patterns, housing, education, economy, social welfare, religion, local government, leisure and culture, and discusses the effects of national and international market forces, periods of instability and high growth, and political struggles. It features many of the people who played an important part in this period of Aberdeen's history.