Island Stories: Unravelling Britain by Raphael Samuel

by Raphael Samuel

An engrossing journey into British national history, ISLAND STORIES is a luminous study of the way nations use their past to lend meaning to the present and future. This sequel to the widely acclaimed THEATRES OF MEMORY is as passionate, unexpected and enjoyable as its predecessor. Raphael Samuel, who died in 1996, was an Oxford history tutor and founding editor of HISTORY WORKSHOP JOURNAL. 384 pp.

Genres: History

Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing mix of essays and articles about our understanding of British history and how it is taught in British schools, particularly in the era of the introduction of the National Curriculum (according to which, it seems to me, Britain leapt straight from 1685 to 1837 with nothing happening in between worth mentioning!) The way in which the emphasis and hence our cultural understanding and reference have developed over the 20th century made interesting reading.

The articles are varied, often amusing and brought back mamories of things I had enjoyed but forotten, such as 1066 and All That.
However, Some parts were heavy going; I didn't really enjoy the sections on Margaret Thatcher