Birmingham Beginnings

The speaker reflects on growing up in Birmingham during the 1950s and 1960s, highlighting the influence of the city's Victorian past on his historical career. He describes the close relationship between the countryside and town, the social dynamics of the time, and the transition from a Victorian world to a modern Birmingham. The narrative captures the tension between preserving history and embracing change, as seen in the demolition of historical sites in favor of modernization.

How did the experience of growing up in Birmingham influence the speaker's historical career?

What aspects of the 19th century Victorian world did the speaker recognize in Birmingham during their childhood?

Describe the relationship between the countryside and the town as perceived by the speaker.

What were the influences on the speaker as a boy growing up in the 1950s and 1960s?

How did the zeitgeist of the 1960s affect the perception of Victorian architecture in Birmingham?