The Story of Britain: From the Romans to the Present

Every country on earth has many fascinating events in its past, but the history of Britain is one of the world’s most rich and absorbing, and the past two millennia in what is now Britain have provided enough events and stories to fill numerous volumes. Roy Strong admirably chronicles the history of the country in "The Story of Britain."Strong stresses how the fact that Britain is an island has greatly influenced its history and national character. The author tracks British history from Roman times through the Early Middle Ages, through the Norman conquest of 1066 and its aftermath, through the colorful Tudor and Stuart epochs, through to modern times up to and including the Brexit referendum of 2016.To cover so much history in just over 500 pages, the author moves briskly but thoroughly touches on the most important developments in Britain’s political, social, religious, economic, and military history and the most memorable incidents and events that put the country on the world-influencing course it took.Strong of course recalls the monarchs and prime ministers that led the country, but also looked at what ordinary life was like for all classes of people down through the centuries. The author also spotlights exceptional Britons who made vital cultural and intellectual contributions to the world such as Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, Florence Nightingale, and Charles Darwin. "The Story of Britain" is likely the best short but complete history of Britain that one is likely to find.

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.

Being able to condense British history to a fun readable book would be a challenge. I feel the author has done an excellent job here. It covers all the major topics in a few short pages and gives you a fun read. The story of Britain by Rebecca Fraser is still my favorite but this is well written and highly recommended.

Being fascinated, as I am, by British history, I've read a number of books focused on specific periods; especially the 1800s thru the end of the 2nd World War. This book is the perfect adjunct for a person with interests like mine. The author spends just a few pages discussing periods in British history that other books take 500 pages to describe. This is, admittedly, a rocketship thru time, but it is very well researched and is written in a compelling style that keeps the pages turning.

A concise and well written history of Britain. Good mix if social, cultural and political forces that defined the evolution of the island peoples to the present. Excellent source for developing a perspective from which to launch deeper dives into eras of British history. Thank you!

I call this book a “generalist”. A little information on a lot of things. That said it was a good overview and will lead me to dive into other areas to get the details.

good read - love history - esp British - easy read

This is a thick book, but one can finish it like a novel. Roy Strong is an excellent history/story teller.

I picked up Roy Strong`s "The Spirit of Britain" at a Birkenhead School Christmas Fair recently, impressed by its weight, compendious contents and wonderful illustrations though I have to confess I was deeply disappointed with the opening chapters...words like weary,stale,flat and unprofitable sprang to mind. Still, with bulldog-British spirit I persisted and reaped the joy and fascination of subsequent chapters, I am glad to sayRelevance? It was this which prompted my (shameless?) 35p purchase from Amazon of "The Story of Britain" and to browse some pages...only to find the immortal words in the first chapter, almost the first words:"Only twice has it ever been conquered, once in 55 B.C....by the Romans..."Not only could I not believe my eyes but could not see this point about 55 B.C. (seriously?????) picked up by any reviewers and, worse, it was not a misprint in my early edition but is still there in Amazon`s "Look Inside".Have my brains flown their 72-year-old coop?Wasn`t 55 B.C. the date of Julius Caesar`s attempted and aborted invasion? ...Roy`s own words continue 5 pages later "Nothing is then heard for a century" with Aulius Plautius and Emperor Claudius`s legions in the actual conquest of 44 A.D.How was 55 B.C. the first conquest? Will someone enlighten my darkness? There must be some explanation I have missed. What?

A very readable account of British history which one can dip into chapter by chapter. All significant aspects are covered - it is not just about kings and queens, but science, religion, the arts, exploration, finance and politics. Its content is accessible to students of any age.

Although full of facts this book is very chaotic. Jumps forward in the future and then explains facts from the past. It is really difficult to follow the timeline.

Really glad I got this. I learnt history such a long long time ago I had forgotten everything - this very succinctly tells it all,over again. Stuffed with information but written so well that it just flows. I don't feel I'm being lectured. Nice short chapters that can be taken in and pondered over in one sitting. Beautifully illustrated. Highly recommended as a book every family should have on its shelves.

Very readable