An insight into British life 50 years ago. While much of the attention of this Jubilee year focuses on the Queen and the changes witnessed over the past half century, here is Britain at the dawn of what many heralded as the new Elizabethan age, an exploration in words and pictures of a nation still suffering the consequences of war but beginnning to move from austerity to affluence. The new monarch reigned over a diminishing empire. But it was also the year proposals for a new helidrome in central London were under discussion, British railways began mainline electrification, the first jet air service began operating. Rationing was still in force and television showed only one channel. But radio continued to entertain millions. The Olympics dominated the international sporting calender. It was a year of tragedy too, most notably the Harrow railway disaster, the Lynmouth floods and a thick and deadly London fog in December. Included here too is coverage of the death of King George VI, the accession and the first months in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The book also recalls education, arts and scientific advances, work, home life and leisure pursuits of the time.