In the 1950s and '60s, aware of what was about to happen to Birmingham, Dennis Norton took his camera and went to work. Photographing buildings along the route of the forthcoming inner ring road, around New Street station and in other areas of the city due for redevelopment, he captured a Birmingha, that is now long gone but fondly remembered by many. Almost half a century later Mark Norton discovered these photographs, taken by the father he never knew: Dennis died just nine weeks before his son was born. Mark set about retracing his father's footsteps, to discover what has been lost and to compare past with present. In the process he gained a respect for Birmingham that had been missing when he grew up amid the concrete, subways and urban motorways of the 1970s. Anyone who remembers Birmingham as it was in the 1950s and '60s will be fascinated by these recently rediscovered photographs, while those who only know the city of today will be astonished to see the changes that have taken place.
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About the Author
Mark Norton is a software engineer who works in Birmingham. He is interested in historic buildings, old maps and photography - and this project, which uses his late father's photographs, has been a work in progress for several years. Mark had an article published in Carl Chinn's Brummagem magazine in October 2005, and also features his father's photographs on his website - www.photobydjnorton.com. This is his first book
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By C. D. Bell
Format:Paperback
This book does exactly what it says on the tin - compares photographs taken mainly by the author's Father during the 1950's and 1960's with modern views taken by his Son (the author) from the same vantage points.
Together with the informative captions this book shows just how radically Birmingham has changed over the past 5 decades. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who remembers Birmingham as it was, the major changes of the 1960's, and what we're left with today.
Together with the informative captions this book shows just how radically Birmingham has changed over the past 5 decades. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who remembers Birmingham as it was, the major changes of the 1960's, and what we're left with today.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Tony Davis
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Birmingham Past and Present: In My Father's Footsteps is a collection of photographs of Birmingham from two generations: that of the author, Mark Norton, and that of his father, Dennis Norton, who recorded the changes that were taking place in Birmingham in the mid-twentieth century.
Mark Norton presents his father's pictures side by side with his own recent photographs taken from the same viewpoint. They cover the city centre and the changes (usually for the worse) brought by the construction of the inner ring road, and there are chapters devoted to New Street Station, to South Birmingham and to the city-wide tram network which came to an end in July 1953.
For anyone who grew up in Birmingham in the middle of the last century, as I did, this book is a treasure-house which will reawaken long-buried memories. For younger readers - i.e. anyone under forty! - it provides a fascinating window into Birmingham's past.
Mark Norton presents his father's pictures side by side with his own recent photographs taken from the same viewpoint. They cover the city centre and the changes (usually for the worse) brought by the construction of the inner ring road, and there are chapters devoted to New Street Station, to South Birmingham and to the city-wide tram network which came to an end in July 1953.
For anyone who grew up in Birmingham in the middle of the last century, as I did, this book is a treasure-house which will reawaken long-buried memories. For younger readers - i.e. anyone under forty! - it provides a fascinating window into Birmingham's past.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Milham
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having grown up in Birmingham over the late 50s and 60s the book contains a fascinating review of how much change was introduced by the city planners as they dealt with the need to renew parts of the city centre, and improve public transport and the flow of traffic. The book is 160 pages, with good quality before and after photographs on most pages.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A better 'Then & Now' book with memorable photographs by Dennis John Norton coupled with modern day comparisons.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
n intersting book full of info I wzs doing a presentation on Birmingham past and present. Verry helpful. greatly appreciated.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this as a present for my father...I had previously looked at the website and had seen some of the photographs....interesting to see how places once looked
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book was the perfect gift for my brother in law who was raised in the Birmingham area, he loves it cannot put it down, he has been reminiscing lots about the places and people he knew when he lived there.
By Michael May
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My home city (almost - I grew up in Smethwick). A book filled with pictures of what was there before they built the ring road - and we are fortunate enough to be able to watch what happens over the next couple of decades as they finally remove it. Not to mention plenty of other areas covered, and if you like to see trams where trams ought to be, you'll love this book.
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