Customer Reviews

The Story of Britain

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

 

 

This book definitely has some points in its favor; it's very well-illustrated, fairly comprehensive and readable. However, it also has its flaws. The writing is a bit weak in spots; the author often repeats himself and at other times is unclear. Also, while he mostly sticks to accepted history, like many modern historians he sometimes veers off into opinionated revisionism (e.g. Henry V's "disgraceful" victory at Agincourt). Worse, some things he writes are just plain silly, such as the assertion that the original Celtic inhabitants of Britain were descended from (evidently very slow-moving) hunters who were stuck on the island when it separated from Europe 300,000 years ago - but no homo sapiens existed back then, even in Africa! The problem with books that contain questionable (to be generous) material like this is that everything else you read that you don't already know must be thrown into doubt - kind of ruins the learning process.

Also, as has been mentioned by other reviewers, this is not really a history of Britain, but of England.

But, all-in-all, an attractive, accessible book for the casual historian. It held my interest - but not highly recommended.

I can't recommend this enough--concise,clear well written ,and accessible .The chapters covering the British Civil Wars and the aftermath are worth the price of the book alone.The author's genius can be seen here--he takes VERY complex social ,religious ,and political events and concisely unravels them to inform and enlighten the reader on what actually happened .I've read Schama's 3 volumes and enjoyed his work immensely,but with Strong I actually learned British History--Well done,very well done.

I am a mother of three children and have historical questions thrown at me each week. After a long search I found Roy Strong's,excellently written The Story of Britian, it is easy to understand, no waffle, clear and concise, the perfect book for quick referance on history. It is the ideal starting point for any historical matter, from 55B.C. to the postscript beyond 1990. A valuable book for all households with children.

As an American who has spent some time studying US history, beginning to study British history can be an intimidating task - there's just so much there compared to what we're used to. In "The Story of Britain" Roy Strong tackles the ambitious task of covering all of that history in one book. It is somewhat inevitable that it is tough to digest much of the content in one reading.

You fly through Celts, Romans, Saxons, and Normans; skip from George to Henry, to Richard, to Elizabeth, then Mary and back again; meet Walpole and Cromwell and Chamberlain and Churchill not to mention Chaucer and Shakespeare. Frankly, it's a bit overwhelming. That said - this seems like a great place to begin a study of British history; just enough to give you some context for deeper reading to come, or as a capstone of sorts for someone who has read a lot of British History and is looking for a way to draw it all together.

This book sets out to cover all of British recorded history in a managable length and does it with all of the weaknesses that have to come along with that approach. That's not an indictment, this is a good book, but it's really not adequate to read on its own for someone who wants a deep understanding of British history. Its author tells you as much in the intro.

Although describing itself as a noble attempt to produce a concise and compelling account of Britain's history in one volume, this book lands wide of its mark. It reads like it was written in a hurry. It begins with a stodgy account of English history through the lives of its kings and queens up to William IV. Thereafter it consists of a series of poorly written essays on various aspects of modern British history. The account of the First World War is dreadful. Its saving grace is the quality and choice of illustrations

This is the best book I have ever read about Britain/England History. That's why I am buying this new version to keep it forever. It covers England's History from Celtic times to the eighties(20th century). Easy to read, clear, comprehensive. A must read book.

This is the first time I have attempted to read a general British history. I'm enjoying reading this book but am continuously frustrated by the lack of maps. Why would the author go to the trouble to define archaeology, thinking we would be so stupid as to not know what archaeology is, but yet think we would know where all these places are that he refers to? The pictures are wonderful -- how hard would it have been to have maps? Every time I read a place name, I want to be able to find it on a map.

Another frustration. P. 22 a king is killed by the British -- its unclear who the "British" are this point in the writing. The author has just listed a bunch of kingdoms that exist, not a single one is labeled Britain, so I have no idea who killed this king.

Someone who doesn't know British history needs to read this book and supply a list of questions & problems to the editor, so that the unclear parts get fixed. And of course the historical inaccuracies need fixing, but that is for someone else to complain about.

I think a new edition of this book would be worthwhile -- it is worth rescuing from its problems.

ordered it three weeks ago, at least, still have not received it. don't even want it now.

Regards
dennis

Yet again we have a book that confuses England with Britain, with virtually no reference to pre-1707 Wales, and a token reference to Scottish history.

This is a pity as Roy Strong writes well and of course there can be no doubt that the history of English Kings and Queens is a glorious one.

For a more honest account of the history of this fascinating island, read the Oxford History of Britain.