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The English and Their History

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The English and Their History

Written by: Robert Tombs
Narrated by: James Langton
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Robert Tombs' momentous The English and Their History is both a startlingly fresh and a uniquely inclusive account of the people who have a claim to be the oldest nation in the world. The English first came into existence as an idea, before they had a common ruler and before the country they lived in even had a name. They have lasted as a recognizable entity ever since, and their defining national institutions can be traced back to the earliest years of their history.

The English have come a long way from those first precarious days of invasion and conquest, with many spectacular changes of fortune. Their political, economic, and cultural contacts have left traces for good and ill across the world. This book describes their history and its meanings, from their beginnings in the monasteries of Northumbria and the wetlands of Wessex to the cosmopolitan energy of today's England. Tombs draws out important threads running through the story, including participatory government, language, law, religion, the land and the sea, and ever-changing relations with other peoples.

©2014 Robert Tombs (P)2016 Tantor Europe Great Britain England Imperialism Socialism United Kingdom Capitalism Latin America War Africa Middle Ages Winston Churchill Soviet Union Liberalism Colonial Period Royalty Economic disparity Taxation Law Social justice Human Rights Ancient History Middle East British Empire Economic Inequality Interwar Period British History
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What the critics say

"European history buffs and readers undaunted by a 1,000-page history will find a lucid, engaging, and pleasantly nondidactic book, with helpful maps." ( Kirkus)
All stars
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Good overall but necessarily gives short shrift to certain events. As a survey history, it has to take an overview perspective. Also, quite pro-English, but does his best to be even-handed.

Good Overall but some issues

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Well written and well presented.
An above average history and above average presentation.
I would recommend it to all who want more than an over simplified history of an ancient people.

Worthwhile

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By far the most comprehensive and in-depth history of England out there. Unfortunately not without its flaws though.

1. The authors biased love of a Tori government and advantages of British colonialism is blatant and distracting. I'm not asking for his opinion I'm looking for The History of Britain and I will form my own opinions from there.
2. The book breezes by the first millenium far too quickly. I understand the author gives more details as the book gets closer to present but he also flows by entire centuries of history within sentences where there is so much more to explain and spends almost two hours to explain Margaret Thatcher.

Past those two issues it's a very solid read for anyone interested in British history

A Comprehensive History With Flaws

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This is the first review Ive ever written so u know it was good indeed

Really great!

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This is a good work; however, it is a bit of a marathon … up the side of Pikes Peak on a hot day.

First of all: This is an intellectual and cultural history of England. It does not spend much time on the events that other works may choose to focus on. Prepare for a lot of lesser known, even esoteric, subjects.

Second: It is information dense. There are quite a few prevailing themes on the nature and development of English character, and these themes are tied together in the grand scheme of the book, even if sometimes it feels that the author is meandering worse than the Colorado River.

Third: Expect to be challenged on multiple ideas at once and buried in the supporting detail. Holy mother of pearl! It gets quite unwieldy and ponderous at times. He really needs to change his name to Robert Tome.

The first few chapters and last few chapters are, by far, the strongest in my opinion. That does not mean that the rest of the work is weak, just a workout.

The narration is great.

Whoooo! I actually finished it!

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