By the mid-twentieth century, Barry Island had become one of Britain's most popular seaside resorts. Its history carries important lessons for historians of coastal tourism. This is the first full-length academic study of the Island's development as a seaside resort.
Focusing on local coal mining societies, this volume offers a comparative analysis of coalfield communities across five continents. It highlights both the unique characteristics and commonalities among these communities, providing insights into their workplace dynamics, neighborhood interactions, family structures, identities, and political organizations. This regional approach enables a deeper understanding of the global coalfield experience, moving beyond national models to explore the diverse yet interconnected nature of these societies.