Best Books about Manchester

[Wilmslow Road]

As mentioned "The Gangs of Manchester" about the Scuttlers, a must.
Perry Boys, Casual Gangs of Manchester and Salford, although written by a Rag,
Ian Hough, a really good book.

If your into History try. "The Manchester Man" by Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks.
A story set in Manchester at the time of the Peterloo Massacre.
Amazing Book IMO written in 1896.

 

[Ed68]

What about fiction?

I'm a big fan of Jeff Noone. Vurt, Pollen etc - Manc, drugs, music etc....what more do you want from a book

 

[Rascal]

If your into History try. "The Manchester Man" by Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks.
A story set in Manchester at the time of the Peterloo Massacre.
Amazing Book IMO written in 1896.

Brilliant brilliant book. Read it years ago and i must read it again sometime.

 

[Citysmith]

Had a look for that Dave Haslam book on kindle but it looks to be available in old school paperback only!

As for fictional I love the Bill Rogers detective books set in around Manchester

Cheers for all the recommendations folks, gonna stock up for the summer holidays

 

[dannybcity]

If your into History try. "The Manchester Man" by Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks.
A story set in Manchester at the time of the Peterloo Massacre.
Amazing Book IMO written in 1896.

Brilliant brilliant book. Read it years ago and i must read it again sometime.

It is a fantastic book, I started it without having any idea what it would be like. It wasn't what I expected but I couldn't put it down.

 

[Max Woosnams Tash]

The list of books about Manchester history is endless. I have accumulated quite a few over the years and am still tying to plough my way through them all. Depending on how far back you want to go in history a few you might like to try are:

Manchester Men and Manchester Streets - Tom Swindells. The original 1904 books were, I think, issued in six parts (or series as they were called). You can get a repro from Amazon for about £8 (looks like the complete series in one book)

Mary Barton (A Manchester Tale) - Elizabeth Gaskell - always out in paperback. Think it's a Penguin classic.

Reminiscences of Manchester from the year 1840 - Louis M Hayes (might take a bit of finding)

Various fiction books by Howard Spring written in the 20's/30's with a Manchester theme - Shabby Tiger, Rachel Rosing, Fame is the Spur, There is no Armour, My Son My Son.

E-bay, in the collectable book section, is always a good source for Manchester books

'Tis a fascinating subject. Happy reading whatever you decide to buy.

 

[kippaxwarrior]

The Condition of the Working Class in England by Friedrich Engels

 

[Max Woosnams Tash]

The Condition of the Working Class in England by Friedrich Engels

Great book, an absolute classic. Available for free download for Kindle from Project Gutenburg

 

[pieface]

Gaskells Mary Barton reminded me of North and South max,i think that was also set in Manchester.
Dickens, Hard Times......"coketown"?

 

[Max Woosnams Tash]

Gaskells Mary Barton reminded me of North and South max,i think that was also set in Manchester.
Dickens, Hard Times......"coketown"?

Hard times was indeed about a town in the industrial north of England, the only Dickens book set outside London. It's possible that Dickens drew certain characteristics from Manchester for his Coketown setting. Apparently Dickens was a frequent visitor to Gods own city and knew many of Manchester's rich and famous. It's documented that his sister, Fanny, used to live in Ardwick, She was a musician and music teacher.

Gaskell's North and South was set in Milton, which I have read, was based on the city of Manchester.

Interesting stuff this Pie.