A HISTORY of Kidderminster is a comprehensive account of the town from its origins to the pesent day.
The book is the latest work by Nigel Gilbert whose knowledge as a social as well as local historian shines through with accounts of the lives, work and recreations of ordinary Kidderminster people.
It is the first complete work about the town for more than half a century and the first to chart its evolution chronologically.
It outlines the growing importance of Kidderminster from the eighth century onwards, covering the rise of the carpet industry which became synonymous with Kidderminster.
The impact of religion is fully explored, including the legacy of the preacher Richard Baxter, possibly the town's most influential citizen.
A History of Kidderminster comes right up to date with the election of Dr Richard Taylor as MP for Wyre Forest in 2001 as a result of the uproar over the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.
Nigel Gilbert is an active member of Kidderminster Civic Society, and has spent much of the last 10 years researching the town's history.
A History of Kidderminster, priced £17.99, is published by Phillimore & Co Ltd and is available at all good bookshops.
The ISBN number is 1 86077 309 5. Phillimore can be contacted at bookshop@phillimore.co.uk
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