Product Description

Based on the award-winning Radio 4 programmes THIS SCEPTRED ISLE tells the fascinating story of British history from Caesar's invasion in 55BC to Queen Victoria's death in 1901. Using extracts from Winston Churchill's A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING PEOPLES plus accounts from contemporary chronicles and diaries, Lee's book focuses on the pivotal events and key characters that have shaped British history. Written in an accessible yet authoritative style. 'Has there ever been a more user-friendly means to the history of Britain' - The Spectator

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #117719 in Books
• Published on: 1998-12-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 672 pages

Paul Donovan, Sunday Times.
'Wonderful…This Sceptred Isle has provided one of the greatest treats for listeners in recent years.'

About the Author
Christopher Lee is the editor of the latest edition of Winston Churchill's A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH- SPEAKING PEOPLES. He specialises in contemporary political and military history and is author and editor of eighteen books including THE FINAL DECADE: WILL WE SURVIVE THE 1980S (HH '81) and WAR IN SPACE (HH '96). He lives in Chewton Mendip, Somerset.

Customer Reviews

British History for the common man !
If you are the kind of person for whom the word history evokes memories of dusty old school rooms and dull-as-ditchwater lessons taught by equally dull and dusty old men, then "This Sceptred Isle" is just the antidote you need. Based on Churchill's Nobel prizewinning "History of the English-speaking People" and covering the period from the first Roman visit to these shores up until the death of Victoria, the longest reigning monarch, this book is the best introduction to British history imaginable. The style is light and conversational without being superficial and the liberal use of passages from the great man himself as well as contemporary sources lend the book added interest and authority. A slight criticism is that the geneological trees in the back of the book could have been a bit more extensive and a useful addition would have been a set of time lines or a year-by year summary such as that contained in "The Oxford History of Britain", however, these are minor quibbles. "This Sceptred Isle" is not the definitive text but is a superb primer that gives the reader a clear and detailed overview so that they can decide which period they can focus on next. The layout stresses the gradual nature and continuity of historical developments mixing politics with the social history, science and philosophies of the age. All the famous historical figures are here along with some you may not have heard of but who nevertheless made essential contributions to the development of the nation. Who first proposed the idea of cabinet government ? And in whose reign ? Where do we get the office of the Exchequer from and which monarch started it ? When did the sinking of the White Ship occur and why was it such a disaster for Henry I ? Why was Thomas Beckett murdered and was the king to blame ? What would Henry VIII have done for a living if his older brother Arthur hadn't predeceased him ? Learn about the reasons for the start of the Civil War and then surprise yourself but realising that there was not one Civil War but two. Find out the origin of such expressions as "to turn a blind eye" and "read the riot act". Better than that, indulge yourself and get the 10-volume BBC cassette collection of the original radio series - exquisitely narrated by Anna Massey and also available from Amazon - and use the two together. If you don't know your Williams from your Edwards, or think that the Glorious Revolution was a communist plot, then you need "This Sceptred Isle". Matthew Salter

Magnificent canter through two thousand years of Britain
This magnificent book covers British history from the Roman invasion up to the death of Queen Victoria. As the partner to a BBC series, the style is more conversational than lecturing, and certainly held me captured throughout the centuries of brutal wheeling and dealing that describes British leaders and history.

If I have one criticism, it is the excessive quoting from Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples and quotations from letters throughout. Perhaps as a BBC series, this added to the reconstruction of history, but in a book this appears to pad the writer's story with too many words from the mouths of others.

This criticism aside, I was completely held by the book to complete my way through a a description of the historical and political background to the British state. With reasoning of the British approach to church, state, empire and religion placed beside the mundane roots of words and phrases, this book maintains depth without becoming too high-brow and speeds at a relentless pace through the twists of fate, power and brokerage that brought the British state to its twentieth century position.

Having been bored by history at school, I found this a refreshing way to learn about subjects I had ignored for may years.

A wonderful, insightful and FUN! way to brush up on history
No more snoozing in history classes!! This audio CD set walks you by the hand through British history and gives you so much more than the dry facts. The readings from diarys of the time and also from Churchill's 'History of Britain' bring everything to life - you actually WANT to know what happens next! The reading by Anna Massey is just right - informative but alive.

This is a definite must for everyone who says 'Hmmm, Alfred - he was the one who burnt the cakes, wasn't he?'