Here's England: A Highly Informal Guide

by Ruth McKenney

The most interesting aspects of English history and many of her lesser-known customs are touched upon in a travel guide directed at American visitors

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, British Literature, History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

McKenney grew up in Cleveland and attended The Ohio State University. She worked for the Akron Beacon Journal before moving to New York and her job writing for the New York Post.

Her best-selling book My Sister Eileen was originally serialized in The New Yorker. The stories were so popular they were adapted to a play and a Broadway musical called Wonderful Town in 1940.

Reviews

[Trin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a fantastic surprise. I got it at a junk shop because I can't resist old, weird travel guides, especially about the British Isles. But this turned out to be one of the best travel books I've ever read: informative, personable, and just slightly sharp-tongued. And as a special bonus, the book contains a fantastic overview of the Wars of the Roses and—shockingly!—an explanation of cricket that I actually almost understood! Truly miraculous.

[Chris Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quirky old book for travelers/tourists. She’s excellent on architecture and helped me appreciate the rare Norman buildings including the church in the Tower of London.

[Adam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a husband and wife this book is more love letter than guide book. It's an introduction to England for the 1950s American tourist and also an introduction for me, an Englishman living in the 2010s.

The writers have an abundance of wit and, most precious of all, a great enthusiasm for travel and for England. There are delightful maps, incredibly useful appendices of dates and dynasties and a slate of lovely illustrations by Osbert Lancaster but it is the vigour and vivacity of the descriptions that stands out above everything else written about this place.

"This is a book about England; a valentine, in fact, for the most beautiful, wonderful, exciting country in Europe
I admit the valentine, in advance, Here's England is no mealy-mouthed, udicious guide-book."

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my guide when I traveled to England in the 1970s and early '80s. Her writing is witty and thorough. I still love to peruse it now and then.

[Bernard Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL!