7 March 2011

Jute No More: Transforming Dundee - book event 10/3/11

'Jute No More: Transforming Dundee'
Book launch - Thursday March 10th, 6 pm,
Dalhousie Building,
University of Dundee

The story of Dundee's transformation throughout the 20th century is examined in a major new book published by Dundee University Press - 'Jute No More: Transforming Dundee'.

The book will be launched at an event at the University's Dalhousie Building on Thursday March 10th. The evening will begin with a lecture in which contributors to the book will share highlights from Jute No More.

Jute No More is edited by Professors Jim Tomlinson and Christopher A. Whatley, both eminent historians at the University of Dundee, with collaborations by Gordon Stewart, Charles McKean and other experts in the field. Together they examine various aspects of the city’s development over the century to create an overall understanding of Dundee in the twentieth century.

'Twentieth-century Dundee is a story of transformation,' said Professor Whatley. 'The decline of jute, and later shrinking of other industries like consumer electronics and watches, meant the city was almost continuously faced with enormous economic and social challenges. De-industrialisation also brought de-globalisation, while democratisation also fundamentally reshaped the city’s politics. Jute was no more; how could Dundee re-invent itself?

'Jute No More: Transforming Dundee addresses a fundamental issue in the history of one of Scotland's ‘best-known but least understood’ towns. Focused on an image of itself in fiercely industrial terms throughout the Victorian age, Dundonians in the following century had to learn how to perceive both themselves and their city in a new way. In this book we look at a whole range of issues relating to work, physical environment, social life, culture and politics.'

The book represents the third volume in the 'Dundee Trilogy' series, which has charted the city's journey from a renaissance port and ‘second city of Scotland’ in Dundee: Renaissance to Enlightenment, through to 'Juteopolis' in Victorian Dundee: Images and Realities and finally with Jute No More: Transforming Dundee, the consolidated history of Dundee is fulfilled.

'As the Victorian era drew to a close, Dundee saw itself as the world's jute manufacturing capital - 'Juteopolis’. But behind that success was a harsh working environment and low wages, especially for the predominantly female workforce,' said Professor Tomlinson.

'Competition from Calcutta meant that in the long-run alternative sources of employment were the highest priority. As the present century dawned, a new era in Dundee was in the making. 'Juteopolis' was no more.'

In the later twentieth century Dundee proclaimed itself Scotland's 'City of Discovery'. Biosciences and computer games are what many people now associate with Dundee - although of the old 'Three J's' of jute, jam and journalism, the last named still flourishes. In what has become very much a university city, students abound where mill workers formerly promenaded.

Jute No More is richly illustrated with over sixty images, most of them published for the first time. These help tell the story of Dundee’s journey, highlighting many of the issues discussed throughout the book. This beautiful hardback volume is a perfect gift or addition to a book collection for any Dundonian or the Scottish history enthusiast.

The book is available from www.buyat.dundee.ac.uk, www.amazon.co.uk or local booksellers for £20.

For more information contact Dundee University Press at DUP@dundee.ac.uk or by phoning (01382) 384413.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902