State housing became an integral part of the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain from the 1880s until the early 1990s. Using research from both Irish and Westminster sources, this book shows that there was recurrent pressure for the state to intervene in housing in Ireland in a period when the "Irish Question" was the major domestic political issue. The result was that the model of subsidized state housing subsequently introduced in Britain was first developed in Ireland, as a product of the tensions of British rule. An important corollary of innovative Irish housing policy was its influence, even in a negative sense, on developments in mainland Britain. This book also examines the cultural impact of imperialism, and in particular the way in which British ideas of garden suburb housing and town planning design came significantly to reshape the Irish urban environment. Fraser not only presents hitherto unknown material, but does so in a unique interdisciplinary blend of architectural, planning, urban and socio-economic history.

"John Bull's Other Island" by George Bernard Shaw is a satirical comedy that offers a sharp critique of British imperialism and Irish identity. Set in Ireland, the play follows the character of Tom Broadbent, a British engineer who arrives in the country with plans to exploit its resources for profit. Through Tom's interactions with the locals, including his childhood friend Larry Doyle, Shaw explores the tensions between British colonialism and Irish nationalism. The play's witty dialogue and clever wordplay highlight the absurdities of imperialism and the clash of cultures between England and Ireland. "John Bull's Other Island" is a thought-provoking and entertaining work that challenges conventional attitudes towards colonialism and national identity, showcasing Shaw's skill as a playwright and social commentator.

Defining John Bull demonstrates that caricature played a vital role in the redefinition of what it meant to be British. The public's increasing interest in political controversies meant that satirists turned their attention to individuals and the issues involved. This long reign was marked by political crises, both foreign and domestic and caricaturists responded with an outpouring of work that led the era to be called the 'golden age' of caricature. These multitudinous prints, produced in response to public demands and sensitive to public attitudes, indicate the redefinition of existing ideals.

Paradise Planned is the definitive history of the development of the garden suburb, a phenomenon that originated in England in the late eighteenth century, was quickly adopted in the United State and northern Europe, and gradually proliferated throughout the world. These bucolic settings offered an ideal lifestyle typically outside the city but accessible by streetcar, train, and automobile. Today, the principles of the garden city movement are once again in play, as retrofitting the suburbs has become a central issue in planning. Strategies are emerging that reflect the goals of garden suburbs in creating metropolitan communities that embrace both the intensity of the city and the tranquility of nature. Paradise Planned is the comprehensive, encyclopedic record of this movement, a vital contribution to architectural and planning history and an essential recourse for guiding the repair of the American townscape.

First Published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.