Tuesday

Book Wishlist // Victorian Society

It seems crazy to me that so many bookworms aren't into non-fiction. For me, there is nothing more fascinating than developing new knowledge, and learning is the best way to do that. The vast majority of my Amazon wishlist is non-fiction and, in fact, around 41% of my TBR (yes, I did the maths) is factual. It will come as a surprise to nobody that the topic I read about the most is death but I'm also completely enamoured by Victorian society. For a time, I planned to study Victorian history at university (until I realised I'd have to complete both years of my tedious Tudor history A level and I was not down with that!). I have a fair few Victorian-themed books waiting to be read, but also have a lot more on my wishlist. 
Victorian Society Books

As you will see, I am far more interested in the lives of the Victorian poor, specifically in London, than I am the monarchy and politics. I guess it's the death thing sneaking in. Or maybe my childhood obsession with the musical Oliver! Ragged London: The Life of London's PoorSlumming: Sexual and Social Politics in Victorian London and The Blackest Streets: The Life and Death of a Victorian Slum look like really interesting texts on the social politics of London's Victorian poor.
Victorian health and crime books
I'm also interested in finding out how medical conditions were treated. It's a sad fact that many people were just sent to asylums if they were deemed "insane" (the list of symptoms of insanity is bewildering). I already own a couple of books on this topic but Inconvenient People: Lunacy, Liberty and the Mad-Doctors in Victorian England and The Victorian Asylum will add to these. This goes hand-in-hand with Victorian criminal history, since it was widely believed that insanity and criminal behaviour were one and the same and, unfortunately, death was very common. Crime and Punishment in Victorian London will cover this well and I really like the sound of The Victorian Undertaker to find out just what the Victorian funeral industry was like.
Victorian history books
Finally, some general books on Victorian history to give a bit of background are always helpful! The Victorians is, judging by the Amazon reviews, one of the most well-researched overviews of this time period, although Dickens's Victorian London and A Brief History of Life in Victorian Britain also look useful.

Let's be honest here: I already have far too many books to read as it is (as it stands, there are 116 unread books waiting on my shelves) but I always feel like I need more! I just wish I could read faster so I could squeeze as many books into my life as possible!

It's a long shot but have you read any of these books? If you have, please do let me know how you found them. Or, if not, just tell me which one you think I should buy first!

Affiliate links have been used in this post

Bloglovin' // Twitter // Instagram

6 comments :

  1. These look fab! I love a bit of non-fiction, I've just finished a book on the Plantagenets and it was so interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I try to read a non-fiction book for every fiction book I read, I like to mix it up and keep learning. I love period non-fiction but I seem to gear more towards the monarchy/courts books! I am always open to giving anything a go though and I really like the sound of the victorian asylum book!

    Sarah :)
    Saloca in Wonderland

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is my favourite wish list I've ever seen. And I own most of these already! Victorianists FTW!

    Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't read any of these but I did read https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Oliver-Twist-Blincoe-Illuminates/dp/1840465425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466600149&sr=8-1&keywords=the+real+oliver+twist The Real Oliver Twist some years ago which was excellent if you can get hold of a copy x

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've studied the victorian's as part of my undergraduate degree so I know what you mean about reading non-fiction and I've always been fascinated with the victorian period.

    If you would like to know more about the criminal system and the beginnings of the police force I recommend - Crime & Society in England 1750-1900 by Clive Emsley. But there's loads more I could give you (so let me know if you do!) haha

    Kirsty

    www.kirstyralph.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  6. I find it fascinating that I would have been locked up in an asylum back then!

    ReplyDelete

I read all comments and appreciate every single one, even if I can't always reply. If you have a question or need a reply, feel free to tweet me @BeckyBedbug- I always reply to tweets!

Blog Design by Get Polished | Copyright Becky Craggs 2017