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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Loads of info packed into these pages. I found it quite hard going given all the names and dates.
informative
medium-paced
I'm a big history nerd and there were parts of this that I didn't know, but a lot of it I knew already and found myself getting annoyed with some parts that I knew were wrong or were brushed over when they were important.
Also, I know we know more about modern history but I felt like the first few chapters were just a list of names and places they conquered and then it was the 1066. The chapters of modern history are again much more fleshed out than this. I get it's meant to be a small quick overview but the areas of history I didn't know a lot about, this didn't inspire me to go and find more books about it? I found the earlier parts where it was just a list of names and places, I tuned out and couldn't focus so much while the later parts were a lot more interesting.
There's barely any social history, it's all monarchy and later on politics.
I listened to the audiobooks and there were a 2 parts that hadn't been edited correctly as the author went back a few words and read again.
Also, I know we know more about modern history but I felt like the first few chapters were just a list of names and places they conquered and then it was the 1066. The chapters of modern history are again much more fleshed out than this. I get it's meant to be a small quick overview but the areas of history I didn't know a lot about, this didn't inspire me to go and find more books about it? I found the earlier parts where it was just a list of names and places, I tuned out and couldn't focus so much while the later parts were a lot more interesting.
There's barely any social history, it's all monarchy and later on politics.
I listened to the audiobooks and there were a 2 parts that hadn't been edited correctly as the author went back a few words and read again.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
banned from reading anything fun until after my exams :( read the sections covering 1800s-1900s to pick out the bits on Empire, bit too much on politics for my liking
Well, who'd have thunk that this book would actually be a short history of England? Clocking at around 300 pages of text and several pictures, Jenkins bombards the reader with names, dates, and various historical events starting from 410 AD to around 2010. That's about a 1600 years of history, folks.
This style, however, turns out to be fairly informative. It also helps that throughout the book, Jenkins drops cameos by well-known English writers and artists into the mix. Such touches helps one get a sense of how England is developing culturally, even as the book mainly focuses on its political development. It's an interesting tactic, and will please the leisure historian looking for a nutshell of information on those fun and murderous monarchs of centuries ago.
Ultimately, this should be viewed as an outline of English history. It provides the minimum amount of information necessary to impress at cocktail parties, but there is way too much history to fit into 300 pages. But you can use this to figure out which period of English history you would be more interested in learning about... and even as a sort of reference/refresher on what went before.
My main complaint with this book is that it demonstrates how woefully un-English I, a lowly American, happen to be. Once the reader hits the Hanoverian dynasty, I found out I have absolutely no idea on how Parliamentary government works. Jenkins does not bother filling this in, so it is clear he is assuming his audience will have some fundamental knowledge on how the British franchise works. So any potential reader would be wise to read up on that.
This style, however, turns out to be fairly informative. It also helps that throughout the book, Jenkins drops cameos by well-known English writers and artists into the mix. Such touches helps one get a sense of how England is developing culturally, even as the book mainly focuses on its political development. It's an interesting tactic, and will please the leisure historian looking for a nutshell of information on those fun and murderous monarchs of centuries ago.
Ultimately, this should be viewed as an outline of English history. It provides the minimum amount of information necessary to impress at cocktail parties, but there is way too much history to fit into 300 pages. But you can use this to figure out which period of English history you would be more interested in learning about... and even as a sort of reference/refresher on what went before.
My main complaint with this book is that it demonstrates how woefully un-English I, a lowly American, happen to be. Once the reader hits the Hanoverian dynasty, I found out I have absolutely no idea on how Parliamentary government works. Jenkins does not bother filling this in, so it is clear he is assuming his audience will have some fundamental knowledge on how the British franchise works. So any potential reader would be wise to read up on that.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A good overview of the political history of England. It really made me realise just how much has happened in the ten or so years since the book was published too. It'd be good to get a reissue with a chapter from 2010-2023!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, War
informative
slow-paced
Bit dry to read overall in my opinion
doesnt even deserve a one star.. it is that bad.. hard to follow and all over the place.. and lastly.. BORING
Easily the most addictive history book I have read. Reads like a thrilling novel, ripping pace, familiar characters, and plenty of intrigue. I always wanted a good non-partisan history of England, difficult to find in Ireland. This is it.
As the Spectator review said, "traditional, kings-and-things, great-men history". That's exactly it.
As the Spectator review said, "traditional, kings-and-things, great-men history". That's exactly it.