Victorian Turkish Baths
The first book to reveal the hidden history of the Victorian Turkish Bath in the British Isles and beyondExplores the architecture, technology and sociology of the Victorian Turkish BathWith almost 500 illustrations, a full bibliography, and an illustrated glossary, the book examines all aspects of the baths Victorian Turkish Baths is the first book to bring to light the hidden history of a fascinating institution – the 600-plus dry hot air baths that sprang up across Ireland, Britain and beyond, in the 19th century.Malcolm Shifrin traces the bath’s Irish-Roman antecedents, looking at how its origins were influenced by the combination of physician Richard Barter’s hydropathic expertise, and idiosyncratic diplomat David Urquhart’s passion for the hammams of the Middle East.The book reveals how working-class members of a network of political pressure groups built more than 30 of the first Turkish baths in England. It explores the architecture, technology and sociology of the Victorian Turkish bath, examining everything from business and advertising to sex–real and imagined. This book offers a wealth of wondrous detail – from the baths used to treat sick horses to those for first-class passengers on the Titanic.Victorian Turkish Baths will appeal to those interested in Victorian social history, architecture, social attitudes to leisure, early public health campaigns, pressure groups, gendered spaces and much else besides. The book is complemented by the author’s widely respected website victorianturkishbath.org, where readers can find a treasure trove of further information.About the AuthorMalcolm Shifrin is a former librarian and has written extensively on the fascinating history and sociology of the bath, producing magazine articles and academic papers as well as delivering lectures and talks.Contents1. Background to the Victorian Turkish bath2. Early history of the Victorian Turkish bath3. Problems and attitudes4. Victorian Turkish baths for all5. The world of the bather6. Victorian Turkish baths in the 21st centuryPublish Date: October 2015Extent: 368pp