This is a sweeping history of Britain which answers the questions: ‘Where do we come from?’ and ‘Where are the we going?’ When The Story of Britain was originally published to great acclaim in 1996, Andrew Roberts declared it ‘classic popular history’ and Antonia Fraser said ‘History at its best’. Roy Strong’s mission was to produce an accessible one-volume history which would clearly depict Britain’s origins, and explain how the past shaped our current identity. He begins the story of Britain from the very earliest recorded Celtic times, and has now brought it right up to date via the Blair years and into the present day of Brexit Britain. It is a remarkable achievement and, with his passion, enthusiasm and wide-ranging knowledge, he is the ideal narrator. His book should be read by anyone, anywhere, who cares about Britain’s national past, national identity and national prospects.
(p) 2018 Orion Publishing Group
(p) 2018 Orion Publishing Group
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Reviews
His narrative steams along, his judgements are sharp and generally fair ... Essential reading
A writer of clear, unflashy, deeply well-informed prose ... This history of Britain, an updated version of his 1996 book, is a perfect example of it. No meretricious opinions; no show-off expressions. Just a considered explanation of British history, from the Celts to the present day. Every history-starved
schoolchild in the country should be given a copy ... an utterly enthralling picture of a country that remains as exceptional as it was when Virgil first mentioned Britain in literature in his First Eclogue: "penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos" - "the Britons, utterly separated from the whole world"'
Splendid ... a most enjoyable read
A magnificently produced book ... that will enlighten and inform his readers about the past of the land they live in, and how we arrived at where we are today
A must for anyone interested in history
A delight to read ... An admirably conceived and richly enjoyable book
A triumph ... The Story of Britain succeeds better than any other contemporary survey in conveying a sense of British identity
A brave, lucid, lively, majestically illustrated volume
Combining an unsurpassed eye for detail with a visceral understanding of what it means to be British, Strong unfolds a saga of passionate intensity ... No one should be permitted to leave school until they have first read Sir Roy's rich, thought-provoking and indispensable book
Elegantly written, beautifully illustrated and scrupulously fair ... Classic popular history
A richly entertaining account of our island story
Our forebears had the Bible and The Pilgrim's Progress. We have Stephen Hawking and Delia Smith. This book, for British people, has that kind of status. It is an instant classic ... I have been reading it with unalloyed admiration and delight