Comparing a once-quiet market town with the hubbub of urban development, this is a fascinating portrait of the changing face of Basingstoke throughout the centuries. Reviewing the relentless march of progress over the past 30 years, this chronicle surveys the contemporary office high-rises and 1970s post-modernist architecture that have replaced the old 18th- and 19th-century timber framed cottages, turn-of-the-century shop fronts, and late Victorian terraces that once dominated the landscape. In spite of the present day's indelible mark, this guide acknowledges how the remnants of the past are never far away. Evocative images of the Silver Jubilee of 1937 are also included, highlighting the indomitable spirit of this enduring city.