London, B.T. Batsford Ltd., 1936
The combination of spontaneous and occasionally posed photographs shows life in Britain between the wars. By juxtaposing images that contrast and highlight the two extremes of the well-defined class system, Brandt's portrayal of English types and stereotypes shows a nation divided behind a façade of civility.
Robert Frank cites The English at Home as an important influence, providing him with 'a clear model of how dichotomy could be used to unify a group of photographs, imparting order as well as rhythm.'
First edition; 4to (232 x 184 mm, 9¼ x 7¼ in); 63 black-and-white photographs printed in gravure, captions in English and French, edges toned, photo-illustrated endpapers; original photo-illustrated laminated paper-covered boards overprinted in yellow, titles to spine and front in red, toned, wear to extremities, rubbing to and along edge of spine where lettering is faded, a good copy; [ii], 8, [62]pp.
The Book of 101 Books pp90-1; The Photobook: A History Vol I p138; The Open Book pp122-3.
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