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| This Sceptred Isle: Restoration and Glorious Revolution 1660-1702 v.5: Restoration and Glorious Revolution 1660-1702 Vol 5 (BBC Radio Collection) | 
 enlarge | Author: Christopher Lee
Creators: Anna Massey, Peter Jeffrey
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £9.00
Buy New: £6.07
You Save: £2.93 (33%)
New (12) from £6.07
Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 95072
Format: Audiobook
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Items: 3
Discs: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 4.7 x 0.9
ISBN: 056355794X
Dewey Decimal Number: 941
EAN: 9780563557944
ASIN: 056355794X
Publication Date: October 5, 1998
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW and IN STOCK - dispatched within 48 hours from the UK
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-8 of 8 | | « PREV | | |
 British History for the common man ! June 22, 1999
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
If you are the kind of person for whom the word history evokes memories of dusty old school rooms and dull-as-ditchwater lessons taught by equally dull and dusty old men, then "This Sceptred Isle" is just the antidote you need. Based on Churchill's Nobel prizewinning "History of the English-speaking People" and covering the period from the first Roman visit to these shores up until the death of Victoria, the longest reigning monarch, this book is the best introduction to British history imaginable. The style is light and conversational without being superficial and the liberal use of passages from the great man himself as well as contemporary sources lend the book added interest and authority. A slight criticism is that the geneological trees in the back of the book could have been a bit more extensive and a useful addition would have been a set of time lines or a year-by year summary such as that contained in "The Oxford History of Britain", however, these are minor quibbles. "This Sceptred Isle" is not the definitive text but is a superb primer that gives the reader a clear and detailed overview so that they can decide which period they can focus on next. The layout stresses the gradual nature and continuity of historical developments mixing politics with the social history, science and philosophies of the age. All the famous historical figures are here along with some you may not have heard of but who nevertheless made essential contributions to the development of the nation. Who first proposed the idea of cabinet government ? And in whose reign ? Where do we get the office of the Exchequer from and which monarch started it ? When did the sinking of the White Ship occur and why was it such a disaster for Henry I ? Why was Thomas Beckett murdered and was the king to blame ? What would Henry VIII have done for a living if his older brother Arthur hadn't predeceased him ? Learn about the reasons for the start of the Civil War and then surprise yourself but realising that there was not one Civil War but two. Find out the origin of such expressions as "to turn a blind eye" and "read the riot act". Better than that, indulge yourself and get the 10-volume BBC cassette collection of the original radio series - exquisitely narrated by Anna Massey and also available from Amazon - and use the two together. If you don't know your Williams from your Edwards, or think that the Glorious Revolution was a communist plot, then you need "This Sceptred Isle". Matthew Salter
Like a Fairy Tale - Only In Real Life!! May 31, 1999
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is fantastic, I did not study history and school and have since regretted it. I was going to study it at A' level, but thought I should read this book instead. I'm glad I did, nearly the whole history of our country in one book! The writing is superb, clear and concise, with extracts from other writings (particuarly Churchill) to give you a feel as to what is going on. Our history is so fascinating, seven year olds becoming King, Wars with different land, religious tension and great suspense.It could almost have been written by a fiction author, and you have to actually stop and think that these things did actually happen!! An excellent book - Read it!
 Well written overview of British history. January 17, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Slick but inevitably superficial coverage of British History. Well written with attempts at expressing and explaining the main events with a smattering of detail. Overall a good introduction and conveys the continuous nature of history. Easy to read but for the casual reader rather than the student.
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