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Drawing upon vast amounts of fresh research, David Carpenter’s remarkable new book brings to life medieval Britain in the tumultuous period between the Norman conquest of England and the English conquest of Wales under Edward I. This epoch saw a profound reshaping of Britain, as Norman and Anglo-Saxon peoples were molded together into a new identity, and the development of a powerful parliamentary tax-based state enabled England to dominate the rest of Britain at the end of the thirteenth century. Yet as Carpenter’s wide-ranging narrative makes clear, during this time England was also linked in an entirely new way to continental Europe, leaving plenty of space for the ambitions of Britain’s other rulers, namely the princes of Wales and the king of Scots, to emerge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent--Thorough and Readable
Carpenter's survey of post-Conquest Britain somehow manages to be both very detailed and very broad.As expected, he focuses mainly on the political and religious aspects of the period, but he is careful to include social history (including discussions of slavery, the peasantry, queenship and chivalry)where it impinges on those subjects. The result is magnificently clear narrative of this complicated and turbulent era. Four chapters of purely social history round out the story: two at the beginning discuss the peoples and economy of Britain, and two near the end summarize "The Structures of Society" and the "Church, Religion, Literacy, and Learning."Within the main body of the text he provides short overviews of Welsh and Scots power structures and history.These are especially welcome additions, and though he generally includes only the details that help make sense of Anglo-Norman actions, he writes these sections from a Welsh or Scottish perspective.

Surprisingly, the most gripping parts of the book concern subjects that might be thought dry. Carpenter excels at dealing with abstractions. His description of the legal system, which changed several times throughout the period and eventually gave rise to both common law and the Magna Carta, is actually thrilling. His discussions of the economy, feudal rights and obligations, and the importance of the castle to medieval politics are fascinating. Of course, all this comes at a price: he doesn't have room for much in the way of anecdote, and a few subjects that ought to make for exciting reading (the civil war between Stephen and Empress Matilda, the reign of Henry II)are a little flat. Sometimes, maddeningly, he refers to good stories (Matilda's daring escapes, "notorious" clerical crimes, the romantic intrigues of Nest, a Helen of Wales) and then refrains from telling them. Other chapters in history fare better; his coverage of William I, William Rufus, and Henry I was especially lively and satisfying. The small sacrifices he makes to narrative cleanliness don't detract from the work's readability; it's compelling throughout--it's just what's compelling that gets you.

There are a few more serious omissions, or rather near-omissions.The crusades get little attention, and I would have liked to hear more about the major female players.Still, he covers everything at least briefly--in itself a staggering achievement. In short, this is a thorough introduction to the period, an engrossing read, and a fine update on contemporary medieval scholarship.Indispensable.
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In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, 300,000 people or more became slaves there in all but name. Urchins were swept up from London's streets to labour in the tobacco fields, brothels were raided to provide 'breeders' for Virginia and hopeful migrants were duped into signing as indentured servants, unaware they would become chattels who could be bought, sold and gambled away. Drawing on letters, diaries, and court and government archives, the authors demonstrate that the brutalities associated with black slavery alone were perpetrated on whites throughout British rule. The trade ended with American independence but the British still tried to sell convicts in their former colonies, which prompted one of the most audacious plots in Anglo-American history. This is a saga of exploitation and cruelty spanning 170 years that has been submerged under the overwhelming memory of black slavery. "White Cargo" brings the brutal, uncomfortable story to the surface. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

White Slaves and Colonialism
Table of Contents
Introduction: In the Shadow of the Myth

Chapter 1: A Place for the Unwanted: Elizabethan adventurers dreamed of an American empire that would give them gold and glory. Others saw the New World as a dumping ground for England's unwanted poor.

Chapter 2: The Judge's Dream: A highwayman who became Lord Chief Justice planned to colonise American with criminals.He began to empty England's gaols and set a precedent.

Chapter 3: The Merchant Prince: The mastermind behind the first successful English colony in America was reputedly Britain's richest man.He kept afledgling Virginia going and paved the way for the first white slaves.

Chapter 4: Children of the City: The Virginia Company wanted youngsters to work in the tobacco fields.The burghers of London wanted rid of street children.So a bargain was struck and hundreds of children were transported.

Chapter 5: The Jagged Edge: The New World was a magnet for the poor.To get there, they had to mortgage their labour in advance. They were not to know that they had contracted into slavery and might die in bondage.

Chapter 6: `They are not Dogs': Virginia was run by planters who pushed through laws that relegated "servants" and "apprentices" to the status of livestock.Notionally they had rights but planters were literally allowed to get away with murder.

Chapter 7: The People Trade: IN the 1603s, almost 80,000 people left England for the Chesapeake, New England and the Caribbean, most of them indentured servants.A ruthless trade in people developed in which even a small investor could make money.

Chapter 8:Spirited Away: Untold numbers were kidnapped or duped onto America-bound ships and sold as servants.The "spiriting" business became as insidious and organized as the cocaine racket today.Even magistrates took a cut of the proceeds.

Chapter 9: Foreigners in Their Own Land: Ethnic and religious cleansing in Ireland became a model for Native Americans being cleared from the Chesapeake.During the Cromwell era, still more were displaced and Ireland became a major source of slaves for the New World.

Chapter 10: Dissent in the North: During the 1650s, Scotland fought shy of transporting its unwanted to any English colony.Then religious and political dissent were made punishable by transportation to the Americas.Sometimes more died on the way than ever reached the New World.
Chapter 11: The Planter from Angola: The idea that Africans were Virginia's first slaves is revealed as a myth through the story of one who became a planter himself and went on to own whites as well as blacks.

Chapter 12: 'Barbadosed': In the 1640s, Barbados became the boom economy of the New World.The tiny island's sugar industry would outperform all its rivals in profits - and in its ruthless use of slave labour.

Chapter 13: The Grandees: A planter aristocracy emerged in the Chesapeake.Its members dealt in men, land and influence, creating dynasties that dominated America for centuries.But stories of brutality deterred would be settlers from emigrating.

Chapter 14: Bacon's Rebellion: The planters' nightmare of a combined uprising by blacks and whites came true when a charismatic young aristocrat turned an Indian war into a campaign against his own class, the English grandees.Swearing never again, the grandees set out to divide the races.

Chapter 15: Queen Anne's Golden Book: Bogus promises of free land persuaded hordes of Europeans to sel up and leave for America.They began a nightmare journey that left some so impoverished they sold their children to pay the fare.But some outfoxed their exploiters.

Chapter 16: Disunity in the Union: Scottish clansmen were sold as servants in the Americas while their chieftains were allowed a comfortable exile in France - two different fates for Jacobites after 1715.Merchants made fortunes selling clansmen in six different colonies.

Chapter 17: Lost and Found: The tide of kidnaping continued under the Hanoverians.In two famous instances, victims returned, as if from the dead, to denounce their abductors.One claimed to be heir to an earldom, kidnapped by the man who stole his birthright.

Chapter 18: 'His Majesty's Seven-Year Passengers': After 1718, England subsidised the convict trade and America was deluged with British jailbirds.Paranoia grew, with soaring crime rates and epidemic blamed on convicts.Only employers were happy: a convict servant was half the price of an African slave.

Chapter 19: The Last Hurrah: Having won their liberty in the War of Independence, Americans had no intention of allowing their country to serve as a penal colony ever again.Britain had other plans and an astonishing plot was born.


It is significant that two journalists wrote this extremely important book.Many professional historians don't want much attention paid to white slavery for fear that it will take something away from black slavery or make whites feel less compassion for black slaves.That is foolish.People must realize that anyone could (and still can) fall into bondage under whatever name if the circumstances are right.Other books that covered similar subject matter (but received little attention) are:

1) The Forgotten Cause of the Civil War: A New Look at the Slavery Issue by Lawrence R. Tenzer.Shows that white slavery was present in the antebellum American South and played an important role in increasing the tensions between North and South that led to the American Civil War.

2) Legal History of the Color Line: The Rise And Triumph of the One-drop Rule by Frank W. Sweet.Shows that American slave status was not truly based on "race" but on maternal descent from a female slave, regardless of race or color.

3) Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the Alchemy of Race by Matthew Frye Jacobson.Shows how ruling planters created anti-black racism and white supremacy in order to divide the labor force and secure the help of lower class whites in putting down slave rebellions and fighting Indians. ... Read more

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King Canute, Lady Godiva, Guy Fawkes, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Grace Darling and other famous names from 3000 years of history live again in these 100 tragic, comic, stirring tales of adventure, folly and wickedness.These stories, many of them virtually forgotten, are Britain's heritage, told and illustrated with such verve and colour that they are the perfect way to give present-day children a sense of the excitement of history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

British history
This made a wonderful addition to our homeschool study on British literature and history.The stories are a bit gory for young children, so I would recommend it for ages 10 and up.It is fun to read a story or two a day as a family.Each segment is only a few pages long and has colorful illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Essential reading for Anglicans and students of early church history
Gray's The Origin and Early History of Christianity in Britain is an important and fascinating work that deserves a wider readership.It is essential reading for anyone interested in Anglicanism, the English Church, or early Church history.

It's not surprising that a work of such remarkable and essential research was done by a 19th Century Englishman, for 19th Century English scholarship is unmatched ("how are the mighty fallen"!)Thankfully, Artisan Publishers has reprinted the work.

Gray's work is divided into 4 parts:
I.The Origin and Early History of Christianity in Britain
II.The Church in Britain from the Close of the First Century to the Establishment of the Heptarchy
III.The Missionary Character and Work of the Early British Church
IV.The Mission of Augustine

Of these, the first section is by far the most important and riveting, and so I'll spend most of the rest of my review on this section.In Section I, Gray asserts the following:
1.that Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain in A.D. 38
2.that Britain was the first nation to proclaim Christianity as its religion
3.that the Aristobulus mentioned in the book of Romans traveled to Britain and
was made the first bishop of Britain
4.that St. Paul himself traveled to Britain

It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of these well-substantiated claims.If they are, true, then they refute what was once the prevailing wisdom that the Church of England was established in A.D. 597 by the Roman Catholic Church's commissioning of St. Augustine to establish a mission in Britain.In other words, the Church of England had a national, ecclesiastical identity for almost 6 centuries before the Roman Church came to the British shores.

Furthermore, this evidence underscores the importance of remembering that the Church of England was most certainly not created by Henry VIII!

In considering Gray's claims, it's important to begin with his methodology.Gray, fortunately, cites a wide variety of sources to back up his astonishing claims.While some of these sources contain legendary material, the number and antiquity of sources Gray cites converge to paint a picture that is most probably an accurate one.

The evidence at hand will not persuade everyone who is looking for overwhelming evidence for Gray's claims.But given the general availability of evidence for the ancient world of 2000 years ago and the fragility of manuscript evidence, for example, Gray's claims are as solidly established as much of what we think we know about ancient history.As Gray states, "Had any doubt existed, on this point of priority [of the English Church], it certainly would have been contested by some of the other Churches . . ." (p. 9).Again, "No author, indeed, who has taken pains to examine its evidence rejects its main facts" (p. 10).

For the curious, here are some of the sources Gray cites for his claims that Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain in A.D. 38 and that Britain was the first nation that proclaimed Christianity as its religion:
1.Polydore Vergil (Roman Catholic contemporary of Henry VIII)
2.Cardinal Pole (1555)
3.The Councils of Pisa (1417), Constance (1419), and Sena.
4.Sabellius
5.Gildas (520-560)
6.Maeglygwyn of Llandaff (450)
7.Vellum Cottonian manuscript (also quoted by Archbishop Usher in the 17th century)
8.The Vatican Manuscript
9.The Chronicon of Pseudo-Dexter
10.The Fragmenta of Haleca, Archbishop of Saragossa
11.Archbishop Parker (in a letter to John Calvin!)

Gray compiles an equally impressive array of sources to suggest that St. Paul traveled to Britain.

As you can see by the sources I listed above, some of the dates of the sources are missing.That's because Gray doesn't provide them.This is one of the shortcomings of Gray's work.

Gray's work is an essential starting point for understanding early church history, particularly that of the Church of England and Anglicanism.However, his work needs to be updated not only to provide missing pieces of information but also to bring it into line with the past century of scholarship.Any takers?

As Anglicanism tries desperately to find its way forward, it should consider the evidence in Gray's work and remember that its roots go back to the 1st century in the Church of England, and that Anglicanism did not begin or in the 16th century of Henry VIII and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer.

Though dated, still an excellent review...
...for those new to the subject and who think Augustine (not that Augustine, the other Augustine) was the first to bring Christianity to Britain.Gray suggests evidence that Christianity arrived in Britain even before the Roman Empire began it's expansion onto the island.Surprising and well written and worth pursuing.

from the book...
Author: Andres Gray

Presents reliable evidence that St. Joseph of Arimathea established the first Christian church in Britain between 36 - 39 A.D. Reprint of 1880."

The long held belief that Christianity was introduced into Britain around 600 AD by St. Augustine is shown by the author to be unfounded. He presents the evidence that St. Joseph of Arimathea visited Britain around 36 to 39 AD and established the first Christian Church, then called 'Culdee', where is now the West country town of Glastonbury. The author states:
The first converts are said to have been members of the royal family of Siluria. It is asserted that there were two cradles of Christianity in Britain ----'the Chrystal Isle,' called by the Saxons Glaston, in Somersetshire, where Joseph is believed to have settled and taught; and Siluria, where Churches and Schools were founded by the Silurian dynasty.

. . . This decision laid down the principle that the Churches of France and Spain were bound to give way, in point of antiquity and precedency, to the Church of Britain, which was founded by Joseph of Arimathea, 'immediatly after the passion of Christ.'

. . . Regarding this date (given by Gildas) as our starting point, we have several testimonies assigning the first introduction of Christianity in or about the same year to Joseph of Arimathea.
The Culdee Church flourished for many centuries, independent of Rome, and knew no supremacy of the Bishop of Rome, held no dogmas concerning the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary nor the "Infallibility of the Pope". In short, it was far from being a "Roman Church." Gray:
We possess evidence that Churches were erected in Britain before the close of the second century, and whatever direction our investigations take, we find authority for the statement that the Church of Joseph of Avalon, or Glastonbury, was the first and oldest of them all, many affirming that it was the oldest or senior Church in the whole world.
Dr. Gray has painstakingly researched the material covered in this informative, as well as exciting, historical study and has carefully substantiated the majority of his claims with solid documentation. Makes for a most reliable reference book.
Paperback
136 pages

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The Cambridge Economic History of Modern Britain is a comprehensive account of the economic history of Britain since 1700, based on the most up-to-date research. Roderick Floud and Paul Johnson have assembled well-known international scholars to produce a set of volumes which serve as a textbook for undergraduate students as well as an authoritative reference guide to the subject. ... Read more

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Unforgettable stories from the England of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and beyond-the rich second volume of great tales by a master of British popular history. ... Read more

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The Second in the Great English History storybooks
The second of three volumes, this narrative continues the history of the British Isles.The tales begin with the story of Geoffrey Chaucer and end with the story of Isaac Newton, spanning the years of 1387 to 1687.This history begins with stories of England and ends with the unification of Scotland, England, Wales and part of Ireland.

Lacey intersperses stories of famous royals with little known people, which makes this a truly unique book.I really like learning stories that explain various parts of the English culture.

I highly recommend this series!

A real treat as an audiobook (a history teacher's review)
Robert Lacey has done something that many writers have failed to do (unfortunately) - he has written history in a fun, accessible, easy to grasp manner. After all, as Lacey points out in his introduction to Volume 1, the "history" and "story" come from the same Latin root word. Essentially, history should be the simple story of how things happened, to the best of the teller's knowledge.

Lacey's power as a storyteller is highlighted here in spades. He narrates his audiobook as well so there is the added bonus of hearing the author add nuance to the reading - essentially reading it the way he meant it to be heard.

The stories are short and entertaining. Only a couple of times in nearly six hours of listening did I find my attention wandering. This is a terrificly fun experience for any history lover. Full of interesting tidbits but not lacking in the larger themes or commentaries.

I am going to look for volume 3 and hopefully he has written or is writing his promised volumes on Scotland and Ireland as well.

Bravo!

I give this one an enthusiastic A+.

volume 2 as fun as volume 1.
i read the first volume of "great tales from english history," and had to immediately dive into the 2nd volume. this book covers the years 1387 to 1689, and is every bit as fun as its predecessor. these books are completely addicting. I just got the 3rd volume and having it here in the house waiting to be read has made life seem worth living a bit longer. buy all 3 of them and read them. you really should.

History in Shorts
Great Tales from English History Volume II, written by Robert Lacey, covers a wide section of history.Starting in the year 1387 with Geoffry Chaucer and the Canterbury Tales, Lacey continues until the year 1687.He includes smaller stories about various topics such as the first children's book.In Great Tales, Lacey also writes about the Plague, the London Fire, beheading, and burning traders.

Great Tales from English History Volume II covers all of the Kings ranging from Richard to James.It includes their multiple wives (especially in King Henry VIII) and children (King Charles II's 14 illegitimate children) who fought over the chance to become the next king or queen.Lacey also writes about the number of wars, both with other countries and the civil war.Religion also plays a big role in the book.

Robert Lacey's Great Tales from English History Volume II isdefinitely a nonfiction history book but he keeps a cheerful story telling prospective.Lacey manages to keep interest by including several smaller sections in between wars and kings.He includes smaller incidents and people to add to a person's understanding of history.Not a history person, I learned plenty about the history, most which is not taught in school.

Accessible history
I first discovered Robert Lacey as an author from his book 'The Year 1000'.Interesting, accessible, easy to follow, with a good balance of detail and breadth (always a tricky task when writing a popular history), that book was one of my favourites around the turn of the second millennium.I discovered this book on the shelves of my local library, and have found it equally worthwhile and fun to read.

This book concentrates on the late Middle Ages to the post-Reformation era in English history - in royal terms, the times of the end of the Plantagenets, the Tudors, the Stuarts, the Interregnum and Glorious Revolution (which a history professor of mine once intoned dramatically, 'was neither glorious nor a revolution').In years, this goes from the late 1300s to the late 1600s.

One of the things that I like a lot about this particular history is that the stories are brief and self-contained while being part of the overall flow of the history of England.They make for good bed-time reading (the longest of the stories is barely seven pages long, in easy print and easy, storytelling language).Many of the characters are already familiar figures even to those who aren't Anglophiles - Joan of Arc, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth the First, Shakespeare, King James and the English Bible.Then there will be figures that are lesser known but just as interesting - the Roundheads and Cavaliers, Rabbi Manasseh, Titus Oates, the Bloody Assizes.These are tales told in a simplified but memorable manner, and could serve for younger and older readers as a stimulus for further reading and investigation about topics brought up in the text.

There are a few maps, royal lineage charts, and woodcut/line art drawings throughout the text.Lacey includes a bibliography for further reading (this contains a good number of website addresses for making further research very easy).There is also an index, which many popular histories forget, but Lacey is to be highly praised for including one here, making looking up particular names, places and events very easy.

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Britain and the United States share a common language, a liberal and cultural heritage and a democratic political system. They also have pronounced differences, for their economic, political and social structures have developed in distinctive ways. This book compares and contrasts the historical course of the two countries and explores the significance of their similarities and differences over a period of two centuries. The book offers wide ranging and up-to-date analyses of such issues as industrialization and urbanization, democracy and politics, class and gender and citizenship and welfare. With contributions from scholars in both countries, it should be a resource for classrooms and seminar study, appealing to students of both history and social science. Some of the essays are expositions of debates that resonate on both sides of the Atlantic. The contributors are: Anthony Badger, Mark Clapson, J.C.D. Clark, Clive Emsley, Mary K. Geiter, H.J. Habakkuk, Jeffrey Haydu, Ira Katznelson, Leon S. Marshall, David Morgan, Ann Shola Orloff, Gretchen Ritter, S.B. Saul; Theda Skocpol, W.A. Speck and David Ward. ... Read more

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The sixth of nine volumes in the major "Penguin History of Britain" series, "A Monarchy Transformed" narrates the tempestuous political events of the Stuart dynasty. It charts the reigns of six monarchs, and the course of two revolutions as well as religious upheavals that shook the beliefs of seventeenth-century Britons to the core. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A beautifully balanced narrative
This is an enjoyable book to read.Kishlansky's depth of knowledge is evidenced in the comprehensive annotated reading list he provides,a practice I wish more historians would emulate.This is a general history of a century and his sources are secondary as you would expect, but at times there is a lack of depth of analysis, in particular at the time of the 1688 revolution.When parliament and the English people had bent so far backwards to accommodate Charles II in his skilful efforts to prepare the country for the succession of his Catholic brother, why exactly did they turn on James so abruptly?OK, James tried to push Catholicism down everyone's throat in the last year or so, but Kishlansky tells us nothing about how the English people reacted to this, other than the broad facts of William's invasion.He has of course earlier in the book alluded to the English strength of feeling about Protestantism, but that is about all we get.In general Kishlansky you feel slightly disapproves of chaps that rock the boat.But then he's an American and no doubt has his own perspective.

What I really like about this book is the clarity of it's exposition of a series of immensely complex situations, ie the accession of a Scottish monarch, James I to a countrywhich has just found a coherent and stable English identity; the principled and conscientiousness defense of the divine right of kings by Charles I, the brilliance of Cromwell, the incredible successions of shifts and changes under Charles II as he tries to make the best of what with hindsight was a hopeless problem.He also puts the heroics of William and in some ways the unsung brilliance of Anne's adaptability into good perspective.As I say I am less convinced by his portrayal of James II, or more perhaps the reaction of the English to him.

But Kishlansky in general does a great job of bringing all the different factors in situations into balance, religion, finance, ancestry and so on.

I also feel he does more than justice to very complex situations over the century in Scotland and Ireland.In many histories of Britain you feel the historian is saying `Oh, I guess we better put in a bit about Ireland (or Scotland)'.However here I do not feel (contrary to one reviewer on Amazon.com) that they are given short shrift.If there is a sense in which they are treated with contempt that is down to the Stuarts, not Kishlansky, and as he points out, at least in Scotland that was to some extent put right.

Wonderful narrative by a big-league historian
I can certainly appreciate the critiques of some of the earlier reviewers. No, it does not cover every aspect of English life in the period, and "Monarchy Transformed" is by no means an exhaustive exploration of the (mostly) Stuart dynasty that it covers. Kishlansky is primarily a political historian, and that somewhat shows. That being said, if any friend, family member or student asks for an overview of the period this is the book that I immediately recommend. Even though it is a narrative overview it remains on my top five list of books for the period. Why? Kishlansky is one of the top five historians (both in quality and stature) working in the field, and as far as "serious" academic history goes, it does not get better than this. His prose sparkles, and as far as "serious" academic books go, this one is a barn-burner. That might say something more about academic discourse than anything else, but this book has no equal for pure readingpleasure underlined by top-notch historical research. If you are new to Stuart history, or are looking for an overview of the "long seventeenth century", look no further. This is as good as it gets for a narrative overview, of this period or any other.

Interesting
An interesting and brief history of this most violent and rapid-changing period in English history.

Not complete, but informative
Kishlansky's thesis is not meant to be an all-encompassing presentation, but more of an attempt to chronicle the major events in the Stuart reign while paying only cursory attention to the more minor details in his eyes.His goal to limit the minor details is met, but he minimizes key figures such as Queen Ann and the subsequent rulers after the fall of Oliver Cromwell.The majority of the piece is devoted to Charles I, while James I and Queen Ann are allocated one chapter each. Charles II is not covered until more than two hundred pages into the thesis.This could be explained by the more important events occurring during the years of Charles I and Cromwell, but gives the impression that Kishlansky is biased towards them.

Kishlansky further misses the mark by not follow his thesis of explaining how the monarchy was transformed.The ever-growing strength of the Parliament is discussed extensively, but the author fails to identify this aspect as a pivotal episode.While the issue of religion played a major role in the era, Kishlansky seems to attribute it as the source of unrest and turmoil.Scotland and Ireland play minor roles in the piece, and are portrayed as more of a nuisance than a part of Great Britain.

Kishlansky's book is incomplete but informative.Good companion to other books of the era.

Good political and religious overview
There are no boring centuries in the history of Great Britain, but the seventeenth century has many claims to be the most eventful of them all.At the start, England and Scotland were separate countries, with England ruled by Elizabeth I.In 1707, just beforethe end of the Stuart era, England and Scotland were fully united under a single government, after a century including the civil war, regicide, an attempted "government of saints", the English Revolution and many lesser events such as the Great Fire of London.Science burgeoned, American colonies were planted, the nation's finances were transformed, and the roots of the industrial revolution began to grow.

Not all of this is adequately covered by Kishlansky.He eulogizes the century in his introduction, but the book focuses primarily on politics.This necessarily introduces religion too, and Kishlansky covers Arminianism, dissenters, the struggles over Presbyterianism and Catholicism, and the final restrictive Test Acts.The political background is done concisely and well, with good portraits of the key characters and clearly laid out ideologicial conflicts -- no mean achievement given the bewildering complex and contradictory positions most of the players adopted.

Kishlansky is excellent on the monarchs, their finances and rule, and their relationships with their governments.He is equally readable on the political state of the country, and the details of the conflicts in Parliament.His coverage of foreign policy is less complete, and he only provides any details when there is a clear interaction with the internal politics of Great Britain -- which, to be fair, is much of the time.He is also fairly thorough in his coverage of Ireland.

The weak points are the social and economic world, and the world of ideas.The first two chapters are titled "The Social World", and "The Political World", and though the second chapter serves as a springboard for the chronological narration of the rest of the book, the first chapter is the last we hear of social issues.The chronology ignores science and literature completely; Newton, for example, is mentioned only in the Prologue.

These first two chapters are also, unfortunately, the hardest to read.Kishlansky can write clearly and well, but perhaps because of the "survey" nature of these chapters he succumbs to complex abstract statements, though there is real information there too.As a result it took me a couple of tries to get through these first two chapters, but they are worthwhile, if a little hard going, and the rest of the book is highly readable.

Overall, this is an excellent overview.Recommended, with the caveat that any one area that you may be interested in, such as the civil war or the English revolution, gets no more than twenty pages. ... Read more

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This collection takes a thematic approach to eighteenth-century history, covering such topics as domestic politics (including popular political culture), religious developments and changes, social and demographic structure and growth, and culture. It presents a lively picture of an era of intense change and growth. ... Read more

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This text, which is the fourth volume in the best-selling History of England series, tells how a small and insignificant outpost of the Roman empire evolved into a nation that has produced and disseminated so many significant ideas and institutions.

The Eighth Edition incorporates more women's history, while continuing to provide balanced political and economic coverage with social and cultural history woven throughout. This is the only comprehensive text available for the History of England survey course that has been revised and updated to include coverage of the entire 20th century.

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent view of Britain
I am a student majoring in History with a concentration in English History.I have used this book for one class, but since have come back to it counless times.The chapters are well focused and broken down intological subcategories.The book is an excellent reader for those who wantto know about the events and significance (something that many books leaveout) of English history and contemporary England, as well as a refrencebook for students and Anglophiles!The book is well written and easy toread for any reader, historical backgroud or not.Prof. Arnstein is knownfor his keen sense of humor and it definatly shows through in this book. This book also inclues photos which excellently illustrate the world oflate Victorian England and the 20th century of the UK. ... Read more

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How does a society recover from a devastating war? This was the question posed in the 1920s as people searched for normality in the aftermath of terrible trauma. Written from the perspective of those who lived, worked and played in the metropolis of greater London, 1920s Britain uncovers the hardships and stresses of the age, strains which manifested in the general strike of 1926. However, the 1920s was also a time of recovery and hope for the future; London itself was a place of international significance and hope. Delve into the past in this intriguing insight into a difficult time for Britain and the people tasked with its recovery. ... Read more

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The collaboration of five food historians, this text provides an authorative survey of British cooking. Over 90 practical recipes adapted for the modern cook allow the reader to experience a real taste of the past. The early recipes are based upon archaeological discoveries and the later on manuscripts or cookbooks of the period. ... Read more

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Central banks in Great Britain and the United States arose early in the financial revolution. The Bank of England was created in 1694 while the first Banks of the United States appeared in 1791-1811 and 1816-36, and were followed by the Idependent Treasury, 1846-1914. These institutions, together with the Suffolk Bank and the New York Clearing House, exercised important central banking function before the creation of the Federal Reserve System in 1913. Significant monetary changes in the lives of these British and American institutions are examined within a framework that deals with the knowledge and behavior of central bankers and their interactions with economists and politicians. Central Bankers' behavior has shown considerable continuity in the influence of incentives and their interest in the stability of the financial markets. For example, the Federal Reserve's behavior during the Great Depression, the low inflation of the 1990s, and its resurgence the next decade follow from its structure and from government pressures rather than accidents of personnel. ... Read more

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This is a new single volume history of the Communist Party of Great Britain, examining the party from its foundation in 1920 to its demise in the early 1990s. Drawing on original research and a reading of specialist texts, the authors analyze the rise and fall of the party and evaluate its role on the left of British politics. While sympathetic to the ideals and commitment of many British communist activists, the book is sharply critical of much of the actual practice of the party.
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The Access to History series is the most popular and trusted series for AS- and A-level history students. The new titles combine all the strengths of this well-loved series with a new design and features that allow all students access to the content and study skills needed to achieve exam success. Design features include:

-AS questions and exam tips
-Definitions of key terms

-Summaries of key historical debates

This book investigates the events which led to the British domination of the North American colonies during its conflict with France, and the resulting tensions which followed this success. It goes on to examine the British policies towards the colonies and how these laid the path to American independence and, ultimately, the Constitution. The extent to which a revolution occurred is analyzed, and the narrative concludes by looking at the impact of this independence on Britain and America. Throughout the book, key dates, terms, and issues are highlighted, and historical interpretations of key debates are outlined. Summary diagrams are included to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the period, and exam-style questions and tips written by examiners for the AQA and Edexcel exam specifications provide the opportunity to develop exam skills. ... Read more

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In this volume, which was originally published in 1989, nine distinguished historians look at the origins, growth and organisation of the major mass-participation sports in Britain. They combine academic expertise with the enthusiasm of the true sports devotee in considering such vital issues as the social background of players and spectators, gambling, public popularity, media coverage and the impact of television, professionalisation and of course the age-old divide between 'gentlemen' and 'players'. Richly illustrated with rarely seen period photographs, the ten essays combine academic research with entertaining anecdotal evidence derived from the folklore of each game. Of interest both to the student of modern British history and serious sports fans everywhere Sport in Britain: A Social History is a fascinating and wide-ranging contribution to its subject. ... Read more