Review of the hardback: '[Tarlow] produces an extremely useful synthesis of much archaeological and historical research, demonstrating that people in this period made many significant changes to their material world which they described as 'improvement'. … Tarlow has many useful and original things to say about the archaeology of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. … this book is well worth reading, and also extremely easy to read - Tarlow writes with clarity and, at times, elegance. … this is a stimulating and provocative read.' Landscape History

• 1. Introduction; 2. Agricultural improvement; 3. The improved rural landscape; 4. Towns and civic improvement; 5. Improving the people; 6. The right stuff; 7. Final thoughts.

Review of the hardback: '[Tarlow] produces an extremely useful synthesis of much archaeological and historical research, demonstrating that people in this period made many significant changes to their material world which they described as 'improvement'. … Tarlow has many useful and original things to say about the archaeology of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. … this book is well worth reading, and also extremely easy to read - Tarlow writes with clarity and, at times, elegance. … this is a stimulating and provocative read.' Landscape History

• 1. Introduction; 2. Agricultural improvement; 3. The improved rural landscape; 4. Towns and civic improvement; 5. Improving the people; 6. The right stuff; 7. Final thoughts.