Robert Blincoe's political, personal and turbulent story illuminates the Dickensian age like never before. His life provides an outstanding example of courage and a refusal to be downtrodden.
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‘A compelling history of the lives of workhouse children in the industrial revolution’ -- Nicholas Blincoe, Guardian
‘An engrossing biography ... Historian John Waller makes a strong case. Gutsy stuff.’ -- Mail on Sunday
‘His story deserves to be told’ -- Sunday Telegraph
‘Waller writes with a passion and flair which commands the reader’s attention’ -- Times Literary Supplement
‘A compelling history of the lives of workhouse children in the industrial revolution’ -- Nicholas Blincoe, Guardian
‘An engrossing biography ... Historian John Waller makes a strong case. Gutsy stuff. ’ -- Mail on Sunday
‘His story deserves to be told’ -- Sunday Telegraph
‘Waller writes with a passion and flair which commands the reader’s attention’ -- Times Literary Supplement
‘An engrossing biography ... Historian John Waller makes a strong case. Gutsy stuff.’ -- Mail on Sunday
‘His story deserves to be told’ -- Sunday Telegraph
‘Waller writes with a passion and flair which commands the reader’s attention’ -- Times Literary Supplement
‘A compelling history of the lives of workhouse children in the industrial revolution’ -- Nicholas Blincoe, Guardian
‘An engrossing biography ... Historian John Waller makes a strong case. Gutsy stuff. ’ -- Mail on Sunday
‘His story deserves to be told’ -- Sunday Telegraph
‘Waller writes with a passion and flair which commands the reader’s attention’ -- Times Literary Supplement
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Louise Simes
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is much more than the story of Robert Blincoe, it is an important and all encompassing history of England's industrial past. Whilst telling of the appalling treatment of Robert Blincoe during his early years, the author also gives a constant political narrative of the social, economic and political history of the period. The author has meticulously researched his subject from historical records, documents and journals and includes a large bibliography. The result is an ultimately readable but important historical work for the serious reader and an important text for students. Superb.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A. Stibbe
Format:Hardcover
This is a thoroughly readable history of Britain's industrial age and the people on which the wealth of this country was built - that's not the wealthy merchants or mill owners, it's the forgotten children who slaved away in the mills under appalling conditions. This is the story of one little orphan boy's strength of spirit amid extreme childhood suffering and poverty. And it reminds us of all the individuals who suffered and fought to create better conditions for factory workers amid a political and economic climate which was driving for more, better and faster production.
Waller's meticulously researched history is written with sensitivity and passion. It is a truly accessible and illuminating work.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the story of the life of Robert Blincoe, a man who worked in a cotton mill as a child and wrote a book about it. At first it made me think, why is there a book about it, if he's already written his biography? But this book is good as it adds the historical context and what was happening in the wider world. Robert Blincoe starts as an orphan in a London workhouse, and is sold to a cotton mill owner in the north of England. While he's there he endures terrible conditions, and suffers from various health problems. When he finally leaves the mill, he does odd jobs in similar factories and mills, and then gains enough money to be able to own his own small mill. Along the way the book describes the general situation in society, how they viewed child labourers and the actions of Parliament to stop child labour. It is an interesting book as it details the conditions in the mills, the efforts to stop it, and the alternatives available to both the workers and the factory owners. There was something about the style that I wasn't too keen on but it was a very interesting book. Recommended for anyone who is interested in 19th century history of industrial Britain.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A chilling account
A great illustration of how industrialisation in Britain led to the systematic abuse of ordinary people. It would make a great film adaptation.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. David Sainty
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Interesting insight to a world long gone...and the social reforms that helped change the life of the working classes
A very hard time for those unfortunate enough to have... Read more
A very hard time for those unfortunate enough to have... Read more
Published 5 months ago by treza3
5.0 out of 5 stars
The real Oliver Twist / Robert Blincoe
Arrived on time. Bought for present and the receipient is thrilled to bits. Thankyou Amazon.
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by Irene L. Bezer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Success is there for us all to grasp
Truthfully an insight into how a nobody from the Workhouse not only showed the spirit to succeed, but also bore no malice or desire to repeat his treatment to his lessers. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2009 by Glyn White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Real Life Story
My husband read this book which he had heard about through reading something else. He found it absorbing, sad, horrifying and all the things one associates with extreme poverty... Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2009 by Avid Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Oliver Twist
I agree with the other reviews and think this is an intereresting and well researched book on an orphan boy's life from the workhouse to the cotton mills. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2008 by Grace Poole
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Oliver Twist
This well researched book tells the story of Robert Blincoe, an orphan child, who was despatched along with dozens of others from the Pancras Workhouse in the 1790's to work as a... Read more
Published on 12 July 2006 by Brian D
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