A History of Britain: Volume 1 cover art

A History of Britain: Volume 1

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A History of Britain: Volume 1

By: Simon Schama
Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
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About this listen

The story of Britain from the earliest settlements in 3000 BC to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. To look back at the past is to understand the present. In this vivid account of over 4,000 years of British history, Simon Schama takes us on an epic journey which encompasses the very beginnings of the nation's identity, when the first settlers landed on Orkney.

From the successes and failures of the monarchy to the daily life of a Roman soldier stationed on Hadrian's Wall, Schama gives a vivid, fascinating account of the many different stories and struggles that lie behind the growth of our island nation. Simon Schama's major BBC2 series has shown him to be one of our most original and exciting historians.

©2012 Simon Schama (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Europe Great Britain England Suspenseful Royalty Tudor King

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this is a well read book. i have enjoyed it allot and often go back to it. i was never particularly alert at school and history class mostly went in one ear and out the other. So i decided that i would like to get a better grasp of the events that preceded me and this was great way to start. it is easy going and has just the right level of depth never tacking you to far down a rabbit hole as to make you confused when you reemerge.

great listen

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This is a very good history of the component parts of Great Britain, up to the union of England and Scotland. But it is very focused on the rulers and government, barely touching upon cultural life etc. It is also pretty selective, with Schama spending a lot of time on the most interesting people and stories such as Henry II and Thomas Becket and the saga of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn while skating over others such as Henry VII and the Wars of the Roses. But you can forgive him this selectivity because the stories are told so well. So well worth listening to, but you may want to supplement it with another history, to cover the bits that Schama chooses not to dwell on.

An excellent history of early British rulers

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Masterly overview of British history (and a lot of archaeology).

Covering the period from 3,000BC to 1,603AD would be tough to do in any less time than this! It's pretty comprehensive stuff, which does have a (perfectly acceptable) tendency to dwell upon what are probably Schama's favourite bits, plus the lack of written evidence & material culture from certain times & parts make weaving a consistently dense narrative all the more difficult.

Still, this is only the first volume... The next 400 years are covered in two more.

A worthwhile if marathon listen

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An excellent account of the period, adding pieces that were not taught at school, so you have a fuller account of your history. Now purchasing Volume 2 and 3.

History of Britain: Volume 1

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loved it listened to it multiple times even before going to sleep every night brilliant!

excellent

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I found this book absolutely riveting and would recommend it to anyone who, like me, has a shaky knowledge of English history. Wonderfully structured and narrated.

Stunning - I highly recommend it.

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This was a long book to get through but got there i did..... many things about my countries history I didn’t know and was surprised by..
The reader was spot on too.
So a really good dip in dip out of book to listen to..

SO interesting

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Great book. One of the best history books I've read.
Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in British history.

One of my favourite Historians

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...not really anyone's fault but I just can't stand the narrator's voice...something patronising and glib in the tone that i found unbearable and had to give up listening almost at once. So disappointing as I really wanted to hear this book

Obviously great but

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - to anyone interested in British History - particularly English History, this is a great way to get from neolithic to The Middle Ages in an easy flow.

HIstory meade digestable

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