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hadewygh's review
5.0
Great concept to talk about history: what a time traveller would need to know visiting late 17th century Britain. I learned many things about daily life and the perspective was broad enough to also get a better understanding of what was going on in the world at the time. Looking forward to reading the other guides and prepare myself for my first trip ;)
verityw's review
3.0
This was our holiday audiobook and it did exactly what I was hoping it would - provided something interesting and relatively bite-sized to listen to at night. There were some things in here that I didn't know, but equally a fair bit of stuff that I did. But as a whole it was a nice snapshot of Restoration England.
bristoni74's review
4.0
4.5 stars - I love the uniqueness of this series. It transports you as the reader to Restoration England after those boring Puritans (who banned anything fun, even music and singing in church!) With most books written in the 1st and/or 3rd person its really different to read a book that speaks directly to you as if you are the time traveler. Like his other books in this series Ian Mortimer describes the places, sights and smells and covers everything from diet, entertainment, religion, crime and punishment, disease and medicine. As with the first two books you are exposed to things that the modern world finds extremely uncomfortable including slavery, child abuse, animal cruelty, etc. The research is outstanding and I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves history or even just reading non-fiction.
cameliarose's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is addressed to you, a time traveler from the 21st century. The book not only gives a broad picture of the social, political, religious and cultural landscape, but also contains all sorts of details of daily living in Restoration Britain, from what food and drink are available and how much they’d cost you, what clothes you should wear, what kind of house you’d find, how to travel around and behave properly according to your chosen character, what entertainment you should expect, etc.. etc…
The book has 12 chapters, each covering a different topic. Some of my impressions:
– London is becoming a true cosmopolitan during this period. So, it is a must-see, but do avoid the Great Fire of London in 1666.
– During this period, Britain is becoming obsessed with class. Four broad categories: the Greats, the Rich, the Middle and the Poor. Not only the dry numbers of population and income levels, but how they live under such income levels. Be careful time travelers, it is very rare that you would land in the great hall of a lord or a lady’s house. Chances are you’d end up with a poor family whose daily struggle is to feed themselves. The ancient world is not a friendly place for women, even if you are a lady of high ranks.
– Although Restoration Britain is no more puritan, religion still plays a big part. Just say you are a Protestant. Be careful if you must choose to be a nonconformist. Never tell anybody you are an atheist (God forbidden) or a Quaker (they dare to let women speak), or the worst of all–Catholic. Xenophobia is normal, especially from the lower class. Try your best to blend in. If you can’t, seek protection from a local aristocrat. A special note for women time travelers: beware of the witch hunts.
– Oyster is not a delicacy as it is today; bring your own fork; avoid drinking water; drink ale, beer, coffee or tea.
– Germ theory is yet to be discovered. Blood letting is common. Remedies from apothecaries can make you feel worse. So, do not get sick or injured.
– Get used to the smells indoors and outdoors, and the muddy roads, and the darkness and the silence of the night, unless you are invited to a party or visit a theater.
– People I’d like to meet: Sir Issac Newton, John Milton.
This kind of history book is accessible to everybody. A time traveler’s guidebook indeed.
The book has 12 chapters, each covering a different topic. Some of my impressions:
– London is becoming a true cosmopolitan during this period. So, it is a must-see, but do avoid the Great Fire of London in 1666.
– During this period, Britain is becoming obsessed with class. Four broad categories: the Greats, the Rich, the Middle and the Poor. Not only the dry numbers of population and income levels, but how they live under such income levels. Be careful time travelers, it is very rare that you would land in the great hall of a lord or a lady’s house. Chances are you’d end up with a poor family whose daily struggle is to feed themselves. The ancient world is not a friendly place for women, even if you are a lady of high ranks.
– Although Restoration Britain is no more puritan, religion still plays a big part. Just say you are a Protestant. Be careful if you must choose to be a nonconformist. Never tell anybody you are an atheist (God forbidden) or a Quaker (they dare to let women speak), or the worst of all–Catholic. Xenophobia is normal, especially from the lower class. Try your best to blend in. If you can’t, seek protection from a local aristocrat. A special note for women time travelers: beware of the witch hunts.
– Oyster is not a delicacy as it is today; bring your own fork; avoid drinking water; drink ale, beer, coffee or tea.
– Germ theory is yet to be discovered. Blood letting is common. Remedies from apothecaries can make you feel worse. So, do not get sick or injured.
– Get used to the smells indoors and outdoors, and the muddy roads, and the darkness and the silence of the night, unless you are invited to a party or visit a theater.
– People I’d like to meet: Sir Issac Newton, John Milton.
This kind of history book is accessible to everybody. A time traveler’s guidebook indeed.
persey's review against another edition
3.0
This promised more than it delivered. Ultimately, there was too much that would be covered in any standard history of the era and too much focus on the great, and not enough on the nitty-gritty details of actual life. Particularly irritating was how short shrift was given to specifically women’s lives. Menstruation? Birth control? Family and social dynamics? Daily life? That would have been much more interesting than the potted accounts of Restoration drama and religion, which couldn’t be done justice to in this sort of history anyway.
meghanmarion's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book free via Goodreads giveaways.
This book is quite the undertaking! The author does an excellent job of bringing this time period too life. If you want to learn more about Restoration Britain this while be a good place to start.
This book is quite the undertaking! The author does an excellent job of bringing this time period too life. If you want to learn more about Restoration Britain this while be a good place to start.
isayhourwrong's review against another edition
5.0
This was good...... I may or may not be making a mantuba gown. I've not spelt that right but I'm sure it will be okay.... thank you
buncie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75