Customer Reviews

Hope and Glory: Britain in the Twentieth Century (Hist of Britain)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Clarke seems to incorporate almost all the major points of British history and in a simple detail that puts many a history professor to shame. He includes the Irish, and talks honestly about the Scottish, as well as the Welsh. he does not leave out what is ugly about this nation, which former authors have done repeatedly. He does not apologize but lays it out there for everyone to think upon for themselves. The American Anglo connection is stressed as he works his way through the parliament and its evolution in the last 90 years. When I lived in Britain and studied I only found out about the history Clarke writes about from cabby's.

This is one of the best surveys of British history. There is not as much as one would hope on social history, but the political and military history is first rate and well-informed.

The sentences are complex. I found myself re-reading section after section. This was frustrating and I lost interest in the content sometimes. Also, the author makes an assumption that the reader has prior knowledge about British history and terms. I am glad the history professor is available to answer questions about Hope and Glory.