Michael O’Mara to publish Portillo tie-in on abandoned buildings

Michael O’Mara Books is publishing Michael Portillo’s tie-in book to the Channel 5 programme "Portillo’s Hidden History of Britain", coinciding with the broadcast of the second series in November.

The book is described as an evocative history of Britain through stories of lost and abandoned buildings, from abandoned prisons and closed down cinemas, to empty hospitals and derelict military bases. By combining skills of historian and detective to explain each building’s purpose and why they were abandoned, the book aims to provide a fresh perspective on the UK’s social, military and industrial heritage. Atmospheric colour photographs - including many ‘then’ and ‘now’ images of locations - accompany the case studies to bring history to life.

Portillo said he was delighted the book "fleshes out what we showed in the programmes".

Louise Dixon, senior editorial director of Michael O’Mara Books, added: “We saw the first series of Portillo’s 'Hidden History of Britain' and knew at once that this would make a tremendous book. The wonderful thing is that a book adds all sorts of insights, detail and intricacy to what may be seen on screen, and add to that Michael’s deep knowledge and love for the subject – it’s a winning formula.”

World all language rights were acquired from Stuart Cooper at Metrostar. The book will be published on 1st November 2018 as a £20 hardback.