Who was Bede? Why is the Boston Tea Party not known for its tea and why is the battle of the bulge not about weight loss? We find out all and more when we read A Short History of England.
A Short History of England – the blurb
From the invaders of the dark ages to the aftermath of the coalition, one of Britain’s most respected journalists, Simon Jenkins, weaves together a strong narrative with all the most important and interesting dates in a book that characteristically is as stylish as it is authoritative.
A Short History of England sheds light on all the key individuals and events, bringing them together in an enlightening and engaging account of the country’s birth, rise to global prominence and then partial eclipse.There have been long synoptic histories of England but until now there has been no standard short work covering all significant events, themes and individuals. A Short History changes that.
I didn’t know that
I’d like to think I know a fair bit about England’s history, being an avid reader and having worked my way through a fair few history books. Yet I found myself more times than I care to mention thinking ‘I didn’t know him’, ‘I didn’t know that’ as I turned the pages of A Short History.
Jenkins provides a brilliant introduction, pointing out the differences between Britain and England. Why exactly is it that to refer to England and the English is often treated as being hostile, even racist?
Jenkins explores this point and more by starting in the year 410 and the dawn of the Saxons. At the beginning of the book it is a little name heavy and you may think this isn’t for me, but stick with it. The Ethelreds soon make way for the Edwards and the Hardradas for Hastings.
Eye rolling over roast potatoes
As the blurb points out, there are umpteen books that painstakingly go over certain events in history. But this book is very much an overview of everything. You get no more than a paragraph here, or a chapter there. Yet it was full of interesting little nuggets, nearly all of which I relayed to my children over the dinner table. Cue much eye rolling over Sunday dinner. Did you know how the pub name ‘The Royal Oak’ came about?
It was also interesting how up to date the book was. The book was published in 2011 and Jenkins leaves England with a coalition government and David Cameron. This pushes home the idea that the book isn’t a stuffy history book about things that happened forever ago. It’s about us, it’s about now and how we got here. All in a very neat 295 pages.
I’ll come back to that
A very useful ‘100 key dates’ section (the hundred year war started in 1337 and ended in 1453), together with a list of Kings and Queens and Prime Ministers is also included. The book is definitely a keeper as I know there will be times when I need to refer to it. And being A Short History, I will be able to find the thing I need quickly and explain it in an instant.
If you like your histories a little different try the brilliant Scotland The Autobiography. Unlike anything you’ve ever read history wise.
