The strap line to Manchester England is "The Story Of The Pop Cult City." A music history like no other, it comes complete with a recommended soundtrack for each chapter-- evoking aural memories as Haslam unleashes an assembled cast of artists, musicians, hooligans, writers, workers, students, entrepreneurs and poets playing out a unique history of a unique city.

Not the first to write on Manchester's musical heritage, many of Haslams's predecessors had one thing in common--their desire to convince us that they were there and, as such, had something to do with the numerous mini cultural revolutions that have taken place in the city. Frequently they do little more than cry "me! me! me!" Haslam's approach to Manchester is different. His meticulous style contrasts with the rough, eager spontaneity of his subject, yet the book works because of this. Mapping out the city's creative and industrial history from the early 19th century to the ecstasy-fuelled dance culture of the eighties and nineties, you begin to realise the profound extent to which the city has always been part of a cycle of cultural upheaval, innovation and desperation. A mix of immigrant cultures and classes at loggerheads: it's this cocktail of human influence that has enabled the city not just to survive, but to inspire it's populous to innovate rather than imitate.

From "Immigrants, Merchants and Anarchists", via "Punk, Post Punk and the Punk Postman", to "Hard Times and Basslines"--the headlines alone reveal the eclectic references uniquely brought together here, united not for the purpose of self congratulatory navel-gazing but to enable an understanding of the city's past and its future. Haslam presents a completely holistic view of how Manchester, on the verge of the millennium, has ended up, for better or worse, the city it is today. "We're living in an uneasy city in a very tough world ... but the so-called experts ... can't stifle the desire to break the silence", Haslam tells us, asserting that creativity in the city has always won out, not just in spite of, but because of the challenges that face it.

Manchester England is not simply about Dave Haslam flexing his academic muscle alongside his DJ-ing credentials. The book is absorbing, insightful and entertaining. There's been enough overblown hype surrounding this rainy Northern city. Haslam's earnest and intelligent approach betrays his quiet conviction that 'on the third day', as the t-shirts used to shout, 'God did create Manchester.' --Tony Martin

Product Description

The definitive account of the pop cult capital of the UK by Dave Haslam, one of Manchester's top DJs and journalists. Manchester, a predominantly working-class city, away from the nation's capital, has been at the margins of English culture for centuries. The explosion of music and creativity in Manchester can be traced back from Victorian music hall and the jazz age, to Northern Soul and rock and roll, through to acid house and Oasis. But its roots are in Manchester's history as a melting pot of popular idealism and dissent, from the industrial revolution on, via film, theatre, comedy and TV. And for Manchester, read England and the world. Dave Haslam is uniquely placed to tell this story -- Manchester, England is as witty, erudite and passionate as you would expect from a man who can say, again and again, "I was there". Like Jon Savage's England's Dreaming, this is the last word on the abiding centre of 40 years of UK pop culture.

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4.2 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Manchester became the world's pop culture capital, 20 Oct 2000

By A Customer

As a New Order fan from high school onward, Manchester was always this mythical, hallowed ground which dictated pop culture and produced the best bands, best fashion trends, best clubs...When I finally made it to Manchester, I was not disappointed in the least. But I could not explain just how Manchester achieved that status, nor why I felt more connected as an American to Manchester, whereas London was more foreign. Then I read Dave Haslam's absolutely outstanding "Manchester, England." I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Haslam details Manchester's interest and delight in popular culture from the Industrial Revolution onwards. Of course, the clubs, fashion, music, and social problems of the last three decades feature prominently. But as an American, what I found especially enlightening was Manchester's long history of absorbing American pop culture, and then refashioning it into something of its own. It was only when I read this that I began to understand my own connection to the city.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book of our lives, 3 Aug 2000

By A Customer

I'm not a great reader, so I wasn't mad keen when somebody bought this book for me for my birthday but it is sensational. It's so well written, almost like poetry, which I didn't think it would be because I didn't think DJ's could write!

Dave seems to love and care for his subject, so even the bits you don't think will interest you come alive. The club coverage is good, but the way he tells the Manchester story is amazing. It almost makes me wish I had done history at school.

I live in Manchester and I since telling everyone about this book everyone says they've read it too. It must be on everyone's shelf. Its like the story of our lives; that's what I keep telling people. You can really feel the city.

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, 15 April 2002

By A Customer

I read Haslam's book in the light of Tony Wilson's 24 hour party people. It struck me as a confused peice of writing. Haslam obviously has a specific audience in mind and this seems to me to be DJ-led rave culture pseuds. The early chapters detailing Machester's lawless and boisterous past are fascinating and revealing, but seem to be presented as an excuse for the drugs and guns atmosphere of today. The Manchester he describes was also the Manchester of Rolls and Royce, Marks and Spencer, Chaim Weizmann, Anthony Burgess and Alan Turing - a city of towering technological and intellectual achievement but this is largely ignored. Towards the end Haslam takes swipes at council leaders attracting large multinational employers to the city and seems to offer up an economy of indie record labels and fanzines as a superior alternative. Well, my dads an industrial chemist and I don't think he want such an existence...

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen to this book, you may hear your life tune.
Manchester: Pop Cult City describes exactly why I never want to move to London. It captures the excitement, melancholy, hysterical laughing sob and plaintive din of this most... Read more

Published on 17 Jul 2000

2.0 out of 5 stars Mainly for the Hacienda fan
Although this book professes to be about Manchester music in general, all but a few chapters concentrate on the dance music scene in the 80s & 90s, in particular the... Read more

Published on 23 Feb 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive and truthful account of REAL Manchester music
As a compatriot, Mancunian and sometimes Dj partner of Dave Haslam, i should perhaps declare my connections with the author himself, but believe me when I say that this actually... Read more

Published on 13 Dec 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, gritty and realistic
Dave Haslam has captured the essence of the joys of mancunian life for those who've actually lived it. Read more

Published on 1 Dec 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST MUSIC BOOK SINCE ENGLAND'S DREAMING OR ALTERED STATE
Dave Haslam, the Hacienda's former resident dj (and now at Home) has written this book on Manchester and its bands, writers and artists. Read more

Published on 8 Sep 1999

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