The Great Turning Points of British History: The 20 Events That Made the Nation (Brief Histories) by Michael Wood (23-Apr-2009) Paperback

by Michael Wood

Twenty of the most crucial moments in Britain's history BBC History Magazine asked a selection of leading historians to choose and describe the twenty most important turning points in British history from AD 1000 to 2000. Collected together, their choices present a new way of looking at our nation's story. From the Danish invasion of Britain in 1016, to the Suez crisis in 1956, the key moments include victories (or defeats) both at home and abroad, plague, reform and even revolutions that have reshaped the British way of life. Each contribution brings the past to life, offering new perspectives and food for did the Battle of Agincourt change England's role in Europe? What was the impact of American independence on Britain? Was 1916 more important than 1939? This title offers thought-provoking and inspiring accounts.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There's more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michael David Wood is an English historian & broadcaster. He's presented numerous tv documentary series. Library of Congress lists him as Michael Wood.

Wood was born in Moston, Manchester, & educated at Manchester Grammar School & Oriel College, Oxford. His special interest was Anglo-Saxon history. In the 70s Wood worked for the BBC in Manchester. He was 1st a reporter, then an assistant producer on current affairs programmes, before returning to his love of history with his 1981 series In Search of the Dark Ages for BBC2. This explored the lives of leaders of the period, including Boadicea, King Arthur, Offa, Alfred the Great, Athelstan, Eric Bloodaxe & William the Conquerer (& gave rise to his 1st book, based upon the series).

Reviews

[Luke McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read which covers a fairly comprehensive series of turning points (with due reference to the dubiousness of the term “turning points”).

[Jacob Stelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel idea, and one which I did enjoy in parts. I found some of the essays more engaging than others, and expected a bit more analysis than simply narrative history, but on the whole, not a bad read.

[Michael Rollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging and interesting, but all too brief. It is very much an introduction and lacking any real substance.

[Dulcie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not especially well constructed memory dump

[Rosalind Hoenig]

It is interesting what the author picked as the main 20 turning points. I can see how he got there!