Liverpool History is Hot Seller
Editor of Liverpool 800: Culture, Character and History, Professor John Belchem will be signing copies at the 08 Place in Whitechapel on Saturday, October 21 from 13.30
The first comprehensive review of Liverpool’s history for a century has hit the shelves – and its proving to be a world-wide hit.
Liverpool 800: Culture, Character and History went on sale on October 1 and is attracting sales from America to Australia and reportedly ‘flying off the shelves’ in stores.
A second print is already being considered and the city is also ensuring the book reaches audiences of all ages for generations to come, by issuing a free copy to all 194 Liverpool schools and all 24 public libraries.
Professor John Belchem, Professor of History at University of Liverpool, has spent three years drafting and editing what acclaims to be the definitive final word on the city’s past. He will be among the guest speakers and will present a special edition to the Lord Mayor.
The 532 page book has been written by historians within the University of Liverpool and outside it, including researchers from Liverpool Hope, Lancaster University and the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
They have made a path-breaking biography of the city, tracing its society, politics, economy and culture over eight centuries, from fishing village to world port and more recently from the post war decline to the beginnings of a new renaissance in the 21st century.
Fully illustrated the book contains more than 300 images of adverts, maps and photographs (many of them rarely seen before) sourced mainly from Liverpool City Council’s Record Office, which recently received national recognition for its archives.
Councillor Mike Storey, Executive Member for Special Initiatives, said: ”This is an essential book for anyone with an interest in this truly remarkable city. Every Liverpool home should have a copy and it makes for a cracking Christmas gift.
”It’s a measure of Liverpool’s rollercoaster nature that after decades of decline our future looks as bright as our once glorious past. Arguably our greatest chapter is about to be written over the next two years, with Liverpool 800 and European Capital of Culture 2008. The momentum from this dual celebration of achievements past and to come could easily shape our next 100 years.”
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ”Everyone involved in this book deserves our thanks and I’m delighted we are sending a copy of this book to every school.
”We owe it to our children to give them a sense of identity and civic pride. By providing them the opportunity to celebrate their history and city through a whole series of events in 07 and 08, we’re also giving them the tools to play their part in shaping our future.”
Liverpool 800: Culture, Character and History was commissioned by Liverpool city council, and was co-funded through its Libraries service and the University of Liverpool.
Professor Graham Dockray, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: ”The University sees itself very much as part of Liverpool and is therefore proud to have collaborated with the city council in enabling the Liverpool 800 project to engage in major historical research, the fruits of which are published in this splendid book.”
Published by Liverpool University Press, it is available in three formats, paperback (£14.95), hardback (£35.00) and a limited edition of 800 individually numbered and superbly bound slip case copies (£100.00).
Robin Bloxsidge, Director, Liverpool University Press, said: “Liverpool University Press is proud of its long association with the City of Liverpool and its contribution through publishing to an awareness of the history and heritage of the city. We are especially honoured to have played a part in this landmark book.
”We all know Liverpool has a high international profile but we have been genuinely surprised and delighted with the strong sales.”