Customer Reviews

The British Isles: A History of Four Nations (Canto)

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Hugh Kearney argues that the history of the British Isles can not be properly understood by simply considering a single 'national' interpretation. The first five chapters of his book consider Celtic society, the Roman invasion, post-Roman centuries, Viking settlements and the Norman invasion - all within the context of the British Isles. The later chapters continue with the same approach, and bring a fresh perspective on well known events such as the 'English' civil war, the various Acts of Union (Wales in 1536, Scotland in 1707, and Ireland in 1800), the formation of the Irish Free State and the two world wars.

I admit it - I haven't finished this book yet. I find it hard slogging, despite the fact that I am interested in British history and want to learn more about it. I am surprised to find that one trade review referred to the book as "fast-moving". I do not find it to be so. But then, maybe I am just not enough of an historian to go for this. The book is very complete, as far as I can tell. But it's really not exciting reading - it would work well if a person needed the information for reference or something, but I prefer my histories to have more of a narrative thread to them than this one. It's not *bad*, just not as engaging as some other history books. Perhaps this one was not intended for the "general reader".