English History 1914-1945 (Oxford History of England) [Paperback]

the late A. J. P. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Series: Oxford History of England | Publication Date: August 9, 2001

Beginning on August 4, 1914, the day Britain entered the "Great War," this book guides us through three decades of unparalleled upheaval and change in Britain that eventually lead to the defeat of Japan in 1945--a momentous event that marked the end of the Second World War. Twin themes of international conflict and mass unemployment in England predominate. And besides a full account of foreign and domestic politics that were enacted to deal with them, Taylor pays particular attention to the impact of events on everyday lives. It is an essential work from one of the finest historians of the twentieth century--a book that no one interested in British affairs will want to be without.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An outstanding achievement...an exciting book, for historian and layman alike."--Spectator

About the Author

A. J. P Taylor was one of Britain's most respected and influential historians. He was Professor of History and Fellow of Magdalen College, University of Oxford. He died in 1990.

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192801406
• ISBN-13: 978-0192801401
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,005,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fails to address a crucial issue: the decline of Britain, August 15, 2006

By 

A reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: English History 1914-1945 (Oxford History of England) (Paperback)

I enjoy AJP Taylor as a prose stylist and frequently provocative historian, especially when his focus is on European history. In this foray into domestic matters, he provides a good overview of 30 tumultuous years in British history. However, it was only in reading Correlli Barnett's "Collapse of British Power" that I realized a glaring deficiency of Taylor's book.

Barnett tackles head-on the key issue of this time period: Britain's decline from a first-rate world power to its near-defeat in World War II and its subesequent loss of economic independence to the United States. Taylor skirts this crucial question, instead paying closer attention to topics more congenial to his "progressive" political stance, such as the condition of the working classes and the slow climb to power of the Labour party.

Taylor concludes his book by noting that after World War II, Britons no longer sang "Land of Hope and Glory" or "England Arise" but argues that "England had risen all the same." It is hard to agree with that contention.