Located at the intersection of competing cultural, economic and geo-political formations, Liverpool stands outside the main narrative frameworks of modern British history, the exception to general norms. In exploring this proverbial exceptionalism, these essays by a leading scholar of the history of Liverpool and of the Irish show how a sense of apartness has always been crucial to Liverpool’s identity. Liverpool’s "otherness" has been upheld (and inflated) in self-referential myth, a "Merseypride" that has shown considerable ingenuity in adjusting to the city’s changing fortunes. Among the topics considered are Liverpool’s problematic projection of itself through history and heritage; the belated emergence of "scouse", as cultural badge and signifier; and the origins and dominance of Toryism in popular political culture. The final section offers comparative perspectives embracing North America, Australia and other European "second cities".

"Belchem is entitled to take pride in this piece of Mersey history."—History