A HISTORY OF BRITAIN - At The Edge of the World? 3000 BC-AD 1603: Amazon.ca: Books

Tag this product

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

27 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

Average Customer Review

3.6 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Brief History of Britain, Mar 29 2002

By

P. A. Cook (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: A HISTORY OF BRITAIN - At The Edge of the World? 3000 BC-AD 1603 (Hardcover)

This book is the companion to the BBC / History Channel series of the same title. This should be an immediate clue as to the type of book this is. It is not a detailed reference book on British history. The book contains some text quoted verbatim in the TV show, which should give you an idea of how the narrative is presented.

Schama sets out to tell the story of how Britain became the nation it is today. He does not, he is keen to point out, subscribe to stuff of Shakespearean legend, that British history was an inevitable expression of a single, perpetual British identity. The history of Britain, Schama contends, is characterised not by continuity but by conflict and flux.

The book is well illustrated, reads well and is never boring, but I did find the discussion of some royal conflicts confusing. Because many of the major players in these power struggles shared both lineage and names, it is sometimes difficult to tell, without pausing to work it out, exactly which Henry or Edward is being referred to. A family tree of English kings is presented at one point (a page I went back to a few times) but it only covers a few kings (William I to Henry III).

Schama's TV show has been widely praised here in the UK and has been credited (along with other popular historians such as David Starkey) with bringing about resurgence of interest in Britain's history and cultural heritage.

If the term "popular historians" is ringing alarm bells you probably don't want this book. As I said, it is not a historian's textbook. But it is a concise and well written introduction to the people and events that shaped the destiny of the British nation, and indeed the world.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Would love to take a class under Simon Schama, May 9 2002

By

Laura G. Carter "Castlebreaker" (Reidsville, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: A HISTORY OF BRITAIN - At The Edge of the World? 3000 BC-AD 1603 (Hardcover)

I highly recommend "A History of Britain: At The End of the World?" to anyone, especially those just embarking on a study of the country and its more memorable monarchs and revolutionaries.

Of course, in this format Schama cannot possibly go into detail about everything and everyone: he means to hit the high points, and he does so with a detatched eye, a dry wit and a keen method of observation.

He tells of the usual suspects - William The Conqueror (also known as William The Bastard), Henry VIII, Henry II and his fatal quarrel with the doomed Archbishop Thomas Becket - but in between these great historic personalities comes the voice of the common man, be he (or she) monk, peasant or serf, commenting on the spread of plague through a devestated village or joining his voice to others to seek satisfaction from Richard II.

Others here have commented upon the beauty of the book - its gorgeous pictures, its helpful maps - and I can add nothing except to say that they do add a wonderful visual aspect.

The video series of "A History of Britain", as well as the companion books, are well worth anyone's time, whether they are seasoned in British history or just getting interested.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Popular History, Nov 5 2001

By

kymm - See all my reviews

This review is from: A HISTORY OF BRITAIN - At The Edge of the World? 3000 BC-AD 1603 (Hardcover)

I saw two episodes and rushed out to buy the video. This is popular history - Schama (& a creative team) bring immediacy and passion to long ago deeds. The power struggles, invasions, wars and alliances are a fascinating tapestry. It isn't about "great men", it's about people with flaws and obsessions, sometimes visions. The time before reason, when (sometimes) faith meant everything. An exhilarating, thoughtful and entertaining adventure. Thank you, Mr Schama!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 27 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 47 reviews 3.9 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Is a breezy, broad but compressed history useful as a book?
This book is written in British. I found the use of slang to make pointed comments and clever asides, occasionally incisive and entertaining, but often confusing. Read more

Published on Mar 29 2002 by David H. Myers

5.0 out of 5 stars Schama's a Great Tour Guide
This is a review of the 3-set videoization of this book. Schama has pulled off something very difficult, as he synthesizes history and art, with probably more emphasis on... Read more

Published on Oct 9 2001