The Story of One Family's Journey Into the Industrial Revolution

Riding the Tides delves into the lives of the Bangham family in the Severn Gorge, set against the backdrop of the 18th Century and the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. In the year 1748, we witness varying fates within the Bangham lineage.

While Joe and his relatives continue their laborious work at Darby ironworks in Coalbrookdale, his brother Richard, through his marriage to a Bridgnorth Corn Merchant's daughter, ascends the social ladder.

The novel unfolds, weaving in moral and ethical complexities as it portrays the realities of 18th-century England's justice system. Through the Banghams' interactions with the law, the narrative sheds light on the grim aspects of prisoner transportation to America and the struggles of its enslaved populace, introducing the emerging anti-slavery sentiment. At its heart, the story persistently questions whether Joseph Bangham and his family understood the monumental impact of their work in the ironworks. It subtly invites readers to ponder the far-reaching effects of technological progress and the perpetual uncertainty it entails, making it a thought-provoking journey through a pivotal era in history."