Southampton is now part of a huge metropolitan area running along the south coast in Hampshire. The city has seen massive changes over the years and although its history goes back many centuries, it saw particularly rapid growth in Victorian times with the development of the docks and related shipbuilding industries. Significant areas of the city were destroyed in the Second World War. The subsequent rebuilding of Southampton, followed by more recent regeneration, has changed much of the city, but its history is still in evidence. Today Southampton is a busy metropolis, and alongside the people who live and work in the city, it draws visitors from around the world.

In Southampton Memories: People and Placesthe authors have delved into their remarkable collection of photographs from their Facebook site of the same name to present a fascinating selection of images of the city since the nineteenth century. The photographs portray the many changes that have taken place in the city centre, the docks and the suburbs; in local transport, including the loss of the trams; the experiences of Southampton during wartime; industries and other workplaces; schools, colleges and hospitals; pubs, shops, hotels and restaurants; churches and memorials; recreation and leisure; and many more facets of the city. It is a unique record of how much Southampton and its people have changed over the years. This wonderful collection of historical photographs will be of interest to all those who live locally or know it well.