| The Story of Britain: From the Romans to the Present: A Narrative History | 
 enlarge | Author: Rebecca Fraser
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $12.89
You Save: $6.06 (32%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 87624
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 848
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 1.5
ISBN: 039332902X
Dewey Decimal Number: 941
EAN: 9780393329025
ASIN: 039332902X
Publication Date: November 20, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
"A beautifully written story, a box of delights, a treasure trove: final proof of truth's superiority over fiction."—Andrew Roberts
Rebecca Fraser's dramatic portrayal of the larger-than-life characters who forged Britain's national institutions is an enjoyable introduction to British history and a useful chronology of the past. A highly readable account of the men and women who created turning points in history, it is packed with anecdotes about British scientists, explorers, soldiers, traders, writers, and artists. 154 illustrations.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 A History Book but Written like a novel October 3, 2008
I am reading this for an English History class and LOVE it. Yeah sure, it's History but this book is written like a story. Each chapter covers a different English monarch so it makes it a lot easier to find information. This is a great book!
Good old-fashioned history August 5, 2008
The kings and queens, the battles, the anecdotes -- if that's the history you're wanting, then Rebecca Fraser has the book for you.
The book is odd in some respects; for instance, she gives a great deal of attention to monarchs, but shys away from even wondering if Richard I, Edward II, or James I were homosexual (while obliquely giving us the manner of Edward's murder, and acknowledging James's fondness for pretty young men). In a book that's so personality-driven, that's a glaring omission.
But one can only go so far criticizing a book about "Britain from the Romans to Tony Blair" for what it fails to include. Either as an introduction or as an overview, the book does its job readably and well, for what it is. If you want social history, etc., try something more academic.
 Excellent Narration! February 23, 2008
I should say, this is the most enjoyable British history I have ever read. Although more than 800 pgs, you would only find it is difficult to put down the book once you begin to read. Though not an academic reference in strict sense, the book can help you obtain a general understanding of the thousands years' history of a country which has been so prominent in human civilization. I trust that your further interest on this topic would be raised after going through the whole length of this book.
The Story of Britain by Rebecca Fraser December 28, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Studying English literature (distance learning)at London School of Journalism requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of British history and I, being a foreigner, (from Slovenia) have a very modest knowledge of it so far. I admit I have ordered this book trusting on my luck- and I am sure it is a direct hit!
Although I have only been able to study first 200 pages, I am already convinced that I have got THE book I really need; because:
- it is easy readable, especially for a foreigner
- the articles are short, consise and of manageable size.
- the articles are sufficiently equipped with charts and pictures
- I would not dare to review the content- but I really enjoy this
extremely interesting and charmingly written narrative book.
The Story of Britain is an excellent popular history of Great Britain September 10, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Rebecca Fraser the author of "The Story of Britain" is the daughter of famed historian Lady Antonia Fraser. Rebecca continues the excellent tradition of her mother by this 785 page behemoth of a book. In these closely printed pages Fraser unfolds the pageantry, poetry, politics and personalities that have made GB the oldest democracy in the world.
Fraser has divided her book up by reporting in concise prose the history of each monarch's reign. She covers all the kings and queens from Roman times to the long reign of the present Queen Elizabeth II.
The sections are:
1. Norman and Angevin: 1066-1216
2. Plantagenet: 1216-1399.
3. Lancastrian and Yorkist-1399-1485
4. Tudor-1485-1603
5. Stuart-1603-1714
6. Hanoverian-1717-1901
7. Saxe-Coburg: The reign of Edward VII-1901-1910
8. Windsor-1910-the present.
This book was originally published for the general audience in England. An American, however, with a scant knowledge of British history could follow the fascinating story with ease. Fraser's style is elegantly easy to comprehend even when explaining complex economic, relgious and political controversies.
I assert that this fine book would be a good textbook for an introductory course on British history or it could serve as a valuable resource in a course on Enlish Literature.
Fraser's book focuses on politics,& royalty and gives little space to the lives of everyday people. In that sense it is an old fashioned type histiography. The book is well illustrated with period etchings and photos. Her work on post-1900 was especially well done as she describes World War I and World War's II's devastation of the British Empire. Her words on Prime Minister Magaret Thatcher were also valuable.
The book has a handy bibliography of works which will lead the interested reader to exploring personalities, reigns and times which are covered in the Fraser text. Unlike many books in my library I know I will be referring to this one for years to come. Worth it's price!
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