This book is a study of the political, social, and economic history of England during the transformation of Britain from a predominately rural society into the world's first industrial nation, 1815 to 1906. Marshalling complex and abundant evidence, McCord has provided four chronological 1815-1830, 1830-1850, 1850-1880, and 1880-1906. He explores major themes such as the massive increase in population, the nature of class, and the scope of state activity.