Lambeth : the twentieth century - Sue McKenzie

This selction of photographs, mainly taken from the visual collection at Lambeth Archives Department, recalls Lambeth across the whole of the 20th century. The images show a rapidly changing way of life in districts such as Vauxhall, Kennington, Brixton, Streatham, Clapham and Norwood. The book looks at Lambeth in the early 1900s, revealing the sharp contrasts between the industrial north, the rural south and between rich and poor. It records the impact of the two world wars and the subsequent large-scale redevelopment of the area. Post-war social and cultural changes are examined, leading into the 1970s and 80s, when riots erupted in Brixton and Lambeth Council acquired a national reputation for extremism and controversy. Arriving in the 1990s, the book reflects a contrasting atmosphere of hope, regeneration and change.;The book uses images to dramatically demonstrate not only the differences between the Lambeth of 1900 and today, but also the many similarities that remain. It recalls lost ways of life and vanished buildings and shows how local and national events impacted on ordinary people. It is a celebration of the richness and diversity of the area.