Product Description

What are the 50 key events you need to understand to grasp British history? If you could choose the 50 things that define British history, events of significance not only in themselves, but in their importance to wider themes running through our past, what would they be? Hugh Williams has made that selection, and the result is a fascinating overview of Britain's past. He refines British history into a series of key themes that represent a crucial strand in our history, and pinpoints the seminal events within those strands - Roots, from the Roman invasion to Britain's entry into the Common Market; Fight, Fight and Fight Again, from the Battle of Agincourt to the Falklands War; The Pursuit of Liberty, from the Magna Carta through the Glorious Revolution to the foundation of the NHS; Home and Abroad, from Sir Francis Drake and Clive of India to the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush; and All Change, from Chaucer and the English language to the invention of the jet engine. With great clarity, simplicity and a zest for the marvellous stories that underpin many of these events, Hugh Williams explains the linkage between each one and its importance in the progress of British history as a whole. Along the way, he has some fascinating tales to tell, making this a highly enjoyable read as well as a perceptive insight into our shared past, and vital for anyone who wants quickly and enjoyably to grasp the essential facts about Britain's history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8927 in Books
• Published on: 2009-06-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

About the Author
Hugh Williams read Modern History at Oxford before beginning his career in television with the BBC. He has specialised in history and current affairs programming and in the early 80s was responsible for introducing the famous BBC history programme 'Timewatch' into the schedules. While Head of Broadcasting in Manchester he had the idea for and subsequently commissioned A.N. Wilson's series 'Eminent Victorians'.

Customer Reviews

Comments by Michael Calum Jacques, author of '1st Century Radical'.
The author of this book, Hugh Williams, was a Modern History student at Oxford before carving a career in broadcasting with the BBC. Williams worked mainly in historical matters and current affairs programming. He also introduced the famous BBC history programme 'Timewatch' into the schedules of the early 1980s. Whilst he was the Head of Broadcasting at the BBC's Manchester complex, he conceived and subsequently commissioned A.N. Wilson's series entitled 'Eminent Victorians'.

So exactly what are the 50 key events Williams imagines that we need to understand before we are able to 'grasp' British history? Well, supposing you were to select 50 things, events, happenings that define British history, important events not only in themselves, but in their wider impact, what would these be?

Hugh Williams attempts to make that selection on our behalf and an interesting selection it is, too! The result is a fascinating survey and scan of Britain's episodic past. The author organizes the vicissitudes of our history into a series of topics or themes which high-lights "crucial strands" in our history, and then he goes on to focus in on the seminal events within these "strands". This is neatly done thus:

Roots, from the Roman invasion to Britain's entry into the Common Market

Fight, Fight and Fight Again, from the Battle of Agincourt to the Falklands War

The Pursuit of Liberty, from the supremely important Magna Carta through the Glorious Revolution to the foundation of the NHS

Home and Abroad, from Sir Francis Drake and Clive of India to the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush

All Change, from Chaucer and the English language to the momentous invention of the worldwide web

The topics are presented with the clarity of an expert instructor, who also has a zeal for the wonderful stories and epochs that underpin many of the events he relates to the reader.
And Williams does have some fascinating tales to tell in the book's 416 pages. This reviewer found it to be a highly enjoyable read and a positive help for those of us whose grasp on our own history isn't all that it could be!

Michael Calum Jacques

An excellent read
I bought this book to fill gaps in my historical knowledge and the introduction mentions that the contents are for everyone who is interested in history but frightened of the fog! It lifts the fog completely, is beautifully written, concise and easy to follow putting history in a chronological perspective.
I am still enjoying dipping in and out of its excellent selection of events and thoroughly recommend it.

A scandal
I cannot say anything about the book as it has never been delivered to me although you have taken my money.