Undiscovered Scotland

 

Lost Glasgow is the fascinating story of the development of a great city through the ages. Although known to most as one of the powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution, for the shipbuilding and other heavy industry that contributed to Britain's rise as one of the world's great imperial powers, and for the sugar and tobacco trade that created enormous wealth for the city, Glasgow was in fact an important city long before. It was significant both as an ecclesiastical centre in medieval times and has one of Britain's oldest universities.

In this fascinating book, Carol Foreman traces Glasgow's history primarily through buildings which have been demolished, but which played a central part in the city's story at one time or another. Beginning with the medieval age, she discusses key buildings through to the end of the Victorian Age, providing a fascinating picture of how the city evolved, and how major events throughout the centuries affected its trade, people and environment. Churches, banks and theatres as well as domestic buildings all feature in this informative journey through Glasgow's past.

Like other books in Birlinn's "Lost" series, Lost Glasgow brings about in the reader a mixture of wonder at what once was; of sadness and sometimes anger at what has been lost; and of gratitude that someone has pulled all the threads together to present a picture that would otherwise remain entirely invisible. Many of the buildings may be lost but at least some knowledge of them has not. This is a great book for anyone with an interest in Glasgow.