Halesowen is an old place, planned and laid out by the monks of the Premonstratensian Abbey of Hales. Much has been written about its medieval past and William Shenstone''s landscape gardens at the Leasowes, but this history of the town is the first to explore fully the growth of its industry, involving all levels of society in the manufacture of iron and its use in a host of products. In addition to an account of the churches and schools that catered for the needs of the growing town, he also traces the history of each shop and public house on the main streets, splendidly illustrated with elevations of the buildings specially prepared by the popular local artist, Bill Hazlehurst. These drawing should be of special interest to younger readers and more recent inhabitants in revealing the happy confusion of building styles that gave great character to the town before its redevelopment in the 1960s. A significant contribution to the published history of both Worcestershire and the Black Country, this is a very readable and well-illustrated book.
