Europe, England 

This series tells us about different aspects of the lives of people of bygone times. Each book deals with a particular area of their existence. The series also provides general background information about the period. This book concentrates on living and working conditions of Victorian factory workers, but also describes the reasons why factories began to be built, the growth of industrial towns, unionization and factory reforms. The author paints a grim picture of life for factory workers in the early Victorian period. Factual information on child labour, lack of safety and harsh discipline is conveyed in the text and illustrations. The living conditions and home lives of working Victorians are described in detail and are briefly contrasted with the lives of factory owners. The author also conveys how and why conditions in factories slowly improved throughout the Victorian era; through simple descriptions of the role of philanthropic factory owners, the efforts of the workers themselves and factory reform. - from Amzon