Weeping Britannia

By Thomas Dixon,

Book cover of Weeping Britannia: Portrait of a Nation in Tears

Book description

There is a persistent myth about the British: that we are a nation of stoics, with stiff upper lips, repressed emotions, and inactive lachrymal glands. Weeping Britannia - the first history of crying in Britain - comprehensively debunks this myth.

Far from being a persistent element in the 'national character',…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Weeping Britannia as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was looking for books on the history of emotions and this is one of the best!

Dixon demonstrates that the infamous British “stiff upper lip” is a lot more recent and a lot less timeless than most people think. I learned that until the late 1800s men could cry—in public no less—without anyone thinking less of them! Food for thought.

From Susie's list on will make you love Victorian Britain.

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