One of the greatest figures of his age, Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-59) was widely admired throughout his life for his prose, poetry, political acumen and oratorical skills. Among the most successful and enthralling histories ever written, his "History of England" won instantaneous success following the publication of its first volumes in 1849, and was rapidly translated into most European languages. Beginning with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and concluding at the end of the reign of William III in 1702, it illuminates a time of deep struggle throughout Britain and Ireland in vivid and compelling prose. But while Macaulay offers a gripping narrative, and draws on a wide range of sources including historical accounts and creative literature, his enduring success also owes a great deal to his astonishing ability to grasp, and explain, the political reality that has always underpinned social change.
The History of England (English Library)
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46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My comment is brief: Thomas Babington Macaulay wrote with such brilliant clarity, such a command of facts, and such a deep understanding of society that even this abridged version of his magnum opus reads like a great novel. Macaulay's History of England is timeless.
48 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is a 500-odd page abridgement of Macaulay's magisterial History of England. T.B. Macaulay is one of the supreme victorian stylist, if not unquestionably the greatest. He is also one of the forefathers of modern liberalism. The prose is brilliant, and Macaulay has bettered his master, Scott, in his renderings of a bygone era. That much being said, we deplore the need to abridge this masterpiece. Five volumes might sound daunting, but Macaulay is entertaining enough to sustain our interest throughout the length of the book. The abridgements are so extensive that the introduction is reduced to 3 pages, and the recreation of the reign of King Charles II is entirely lost. Buy this book by all means, but if you can find the full version, give that a try. A wonderful companion to this book is Hume's History of England.
29 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By Lance Kirby
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
After Edward Gibbon there is no historian in the English language who can hold a candle to Macaulay. His prose is so luminous it practically glows in the dark. This abridgment focusing upon the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688 sums up Macaulay's assesment of its events and meaning. Not a revolution for aristocrats only, but a revolution that increased and secured the liberties of all English people. Essential reading for all lovers of history.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic in a pleasing binding
From Wikipedia et al bio data:
"During the 1840s Macaulay began work on his most famous work, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, publishing... Read more
"During the 1840s Macaulay began work on his most famous work, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, publishing... Read more
Published 5 months ago by N. K. Goldsmith
5.0 out of 5 stars
The History Of England
I found this on accident when I heard a lot of English history books had either grammar issues or misinformation in them. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Stigmatarsis
4.0 out of 5 stars
History is Told by the Winners
An abridged version of a multi-volume history of England from 1680 written in the 1840's. This is a narrative history of men, ideas and politics. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tom K.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tremendous.
This is perhaps the best book I have ever read. It is the story of William of Oranage and James II. Read more
Published on September 14, 2007 by Hugh Claffey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Detailed Account
This is a book for those who are tired of efforts like "2000 Years of History" in about 150 pages. This is fewer than three years in a thick volume! Read more
Published on August 23, 2007 by Dick from New Hampshire
4.0 out of 5 stars
English History-Lite and Tory-free
First off, I don't fancy abridged editions of anything, particularly history. But, as my current budget couldn't quite stomach the cost of the full five volumes, I settled on this... Read more
Published on July 20, 2005 by Daniel Myers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiration and Reality
This was my first taste of Macaulay and I'm an aficianado! I was exhilirated by the accounts of English unanimity and activism in the face of a royal tyrant. Read more
Published on July 6, 2001 by Bill Maudlin
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Generous Slice of English History
This Penguin Classics edition, while greatly abridged down from the original five volumes to one, offers a generous slice of Macaulay's classic history of England from 1685 to... Read more
Published on April 18, 2000 by Brian King
Citations (learn more)
100
books
cite this book:
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- The History of England from the Accession of James II: Volume 4 by Thomas Babington Macaulay on 7 pages
- George Eliot and Victorian Historiography: Imagining the National Past by Neil McCaw on 5 pages
- Women Philosophers: Genre And The Boundaries Of Philosophy by Catherine Villanueva Gardner on 4 pages
- Why I Became a Catholic by Joseph Pope on 4 pages
- The Victorian World Picture by David Newsome on page 161, page 168, and page 172
See all 100 books citing this book
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