Product Description

A stirring trip through the essentials of British History.

Britain′s past brought right up to date.

This book is a riotous, irreverent account of the people and events that have shaped Britain.  It′s a "who, what, when, where and why" that reads like a thriller and a comedy rolled into one.  Inside  you′ll find rip–roaring stories of power–mad kings, executions, invasions, high treason, global empire–building and forbidden love – not bad for a nation of stiff upper lips.

Discover:

• Famous and infamous Britons
• Key royal, military and cultural eras
• Power in Britain: who lost it, who took it
• The rise and fall of Britain′s global empire
• History as it connects to Britain today

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #276827 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
“…packed with behind the scenes knowledge…” (Shields Gazette, December 2003)

"...The most user–friendly history book around…behind the jokey chapter headings there’s a serious amount of information…" (Daily Express, 20 February 2004)

“…written in a breezy jokey style, chopped up into bite–sized bits...” (Daily Telegraph, Weds 2^nd Feb 2005)

Daily Express, 20 February 2004
"..The most user-friendly history book around..behind the jokey chapter headings there's a serious amount of information.."

Daily Telegraph, Weds 2nd Feb 2005
"...written in a breezy jokey style, chopped up into bite-sized bits..."

Customer Reviews

Great intro to our history
This book whisks you through our history with what I thought was just the right balance of hard fact, the author's opinion, and a bit of fun. I read a lot of history and it's not often as enjoyable as this. I wouldn't say that I learned anything new by reading this book - it's not a radical reworking of our country's history - but I enjoyed brushing up on what I know.

There's a good balance between the different time periods, and a mix of social, political, and military info. All in all, a good read if you like history already, and a good read if you're not into history yet (you might be when you've finsihed it).

One last thing - the author writes really nicely, more historians like this please!

I've come to quite like these Dummies/Idiots guides
This series of Dummies (and the alternative Idiot's) guides keeps to a similar, readable and entertaining format, that works for any of the different topics covered. If you like the style for one, then I'm sure you can pick any topic you're interested in and find the book enjoyable.

This one covered British History from the Stone Age to now. Inevitably, it covered a great deal of information about which King or Queen did what and the affect they had on history. This was the stuff I always found tedious at school, but enjoyed it here. What I did find of most use is where alternative views are expressed to the common, accepted norm and where certain events are tied in with its modern implications.

This is a book I'll keep for my children for when they get to Secondary school, and get bored with their History teacher.

Superb book
I have never liked 'for dummies' books but I was recommended this and had a browse through it. It is brilliant. It is filled with loads of information that you simply do not realise you are learning as you chuckle your way through all the chapters.

If you are interested in history then you shoud read this book.