The book explores the significant growth of provincial towns in Britain during the eighteenth century, highlighting the expansion of ports like Glasgow and Liverpool, and the rise of industrial centers such as Birmingham and Manchester. It features over one hundred images from the Gough collection at the Bodleian Library, showcasing contemporary prints and detailed maps that illustrate urban development. Additionally, it incorporates insights from Richard Gough's journals and letters, offering a personal perspective on the changes occurring at the dawn of the industrial age.
