The Making of Modern Britain balances economic, social and cultural developments to place Britain in its world context, and examines how developments within Britain affected its individual communities. Attention is also drawn to the period post-1975, which has been neglected in many other accounts of this era. At present it appears that all we have to look forward to is further integration with Europe, and this, Black argues, would represent a foolish surrender of everything that is significant in our history.

The Making of Modern Britain reveals the huge changes that have affected the history and growth of the nation and its people. It is a challenging and refreshing discussion of modern society, and is essential reading not just for historians, but for anyone who has an interest in the troubled national identity of Britain. The book has been updated to include the last six turbulent years of Britain's history.