- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd; New edition edition (2 Feb 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0750946601
- ISBN-13: 978-0750946605
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 17.2 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,383,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
For twenty-three years, up to the First World War, Alfred Williams worked in the Great Western Railway's Works at Swindon, the locomotive capital of the west. The population of the town was then about fifty thousand, all more or less dependent upon the factory for survival. About twelve thousand men normally worked there. Every single aspect of life is covered in his book, first published in 1915, and he does not pull any punches in describing the appalling working conditions in the foundries, blast furnaces, blacksmith's shops and engine sheds which made up this vast industrial complex. If you want to know how a locomotive was made, and about the people who made them, read this book.
About the Author
Alfred Williams (1877-1931) had a love of working, country people and their traditional ways which was reflected in his writing. His other works include A Wiltshire Village (1912) and Villages of the White Horse (1914).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Those who like a detailed insight into the social conditions of a given time will find the book gives an analysis of;the conditions within Swindon GWR works both of actual processes used and the management style. within its chapters one gets a good understanding not only of the works but how it inpacted on Swindon and the surrounding area.
Format:Paperback
This book was written just before the First World War and is about the life of a man working at the GWR works in Swindon, one of the largest industrial sites in the world. If you are interested in railways or in the history of a working man then you will love this book. You will have to search it out as it is out of print.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Life in a Railway Factory - Alfred Williams - An Alternative to print copy
29 Nov 2010
Format:Paperback
Alfred Williams book, Life in Railway Factory is nicely written. He paints a convincing picture of the highs and lows of factory life and the honourable and otherwise behaviour of the staff, both high and low.
I tried to acquire a copy in kindle format, but eventually acquired an e-copy as PDF file from the University of Illinois Library (333.8 W67l). I was disappointed that I could not read the PDF version of Life in a Railway Factory on Kindle reader, so I am reading it on my PC ususing adobe.
I really recommend it. Last week,(12/13 Nov 2010) a local theatre group put on a fantastic play/opera 'The Hammerman' - Alfred Williams' life, in the Railway Museum in Swindon using material from his various poems and books. Having read much of the book, I enjoyed the production so much more.
I hope Amazon will make this book and other Alfred Williams' work available on Kindle.
Peter
I tried to acquire a copy in kindle format, but eventually acquired an e-copy as PDF file from the University of Illinois Library (333.8 W67l). I was disappointed that I could not read the PDF version of Life in a Railway Factory on Kindle reader, so I am reading it on my PC ususing adobe.
I really recommend it. Last week,(12/13 Nov 2010) a local theatre group put on a fantastic play/opera 'The Hammerman' - Alfred Williams' life, in the Railway Museum in Swindon using material from his various poems and books. Having read much of the book, I enjoyed the production so much more.
I hope Amazon will make this book and other Alfred Williams' work available on Kindle.
Peter
For rail enthusiasts
8 July 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Alfred Williams, "The Hammerman Poet", worked in the Great Western Railway Works in Swindon at the height of its development, and published this detailed but human account of every part of that major enterprise just before the First World War. He writes from the workers' point of view, and doesn't have much time for bosses, capitalism or even foremen. For rail enthusiasts, social historians, or for those who like myself are researching ancestors who were railwaymen, it's a uniquely valuable account. The copy I received seems to be printed one-off on demand, new, not especially attractively presented, but it's the goods.
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