Peter Merriman traces the social and cultural histories and geographies of driving spaces through an examination of the design, construction and use of England's M1 motorway in the 1950s and 1960s. * * A first-of-its-kind academic study examining the production and consumption of the landscapes and spaces of a British motorway * An interdisciplinary approach, engaging with theoretical and empirical work from sociology, history, cultural studies, anthropology and geography * Contains 38 high quality illustrations * Based on extensive, original archive work
"While I wish that he had synthesized his research in a strongconclusion, this criticism should not diminish the merits of thebook. The empirical results and the study's framework deserve afirm place in the history of technology." (Technology &Culture, 1 January 2011)
"Merriman's systematic, detailed and precisely documenteddescription of the cultural context of the M1 will itself stand asa valuable documentary resource for researchers and students alike"(Area, December 2008)
"Thoroughly researched and full of rich ... DrivingSpaces presents the historical trajectory of the M1 Motorwaythrough a series of cultural and political stages." (Journal ofBritish Studies, October 2008)
"Merriman provides a fascinating perspective on the socialand cultural aspects of driving and highways ... in thismultidisciplinary study. Includes ... numerous references... .Recommended." (Choice)"This is a terrific analysis of the making of a mobile landscape.It does an excellent job of deciphering the multiple lineaments offast, smooth motorized passages of, in this case, the making of theUK's iconic M1."
-John Urry, University of Lancaster
"The M1 has been with us for long enough for us totake it for granted and proceed (along it) as if it had always beenthere. Consequently it was ripe for just this kind of culturalhistorical study that reminds us it was once shockingly new, a lessthan certain enterprise and, ultimately, an astounding (and stillevolving) construction in soil, concrete and guttering."
-Eric Laurier, University of Edinburgh
"Merriman's systematic, detailed and precisely documenteddescription of the cultural context of the M1 will itself stand asa valuable documentary resource for researchers and students alike"(Area, December 2008)
"Thoroughly researched and full of rich ... DrivingSpaces presents the historical trajectory of the M1 Motorwaythrough a series of cultural and political stages." (Journal ofBritish Studies, October 2008)
"Merriman provides a fascinating perspective on the socialand cultural aspects of driving and highways ... in thismultidisciplinary study. Includes ... numerous references... .Recommended." (Choice)"This is a terrific analysis of the making of a mobile landscape.It does an excellent job of deciphering the multiple lineaments offast, smooth motorized passages of, in this case, the making of theUK's iconic M1."
-John Urry, University of Lancaster
"The M1 has been with us for long enough for us totake it for granted and proceed (along it) as if it had always beenthere. Consequently it was ripe for just this kind of culturalhistorical study that reminds us it was once shockingly new, a lessthan certain enterprise and, ultimately, an astounding (and stillevolving) construction in soil, concrete and guttering."
-Eric Laurier, University of Edinburgh