The Historic Thames

by Hilaire Belloc

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1989

About the author

People considered Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, as a master of light English prose and also knew widely his droll verse, especially The Bad Child's Book of Beasts in 1896.

Sharp wit of Hilaire Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Oxford educated this distinguished debater and scholar. Throughout his career, he prolifically across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.

Cautionary Tales for Children collects best humorous yet dark morals, and historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promotes and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.

In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.

Influence and vast literary legacy of Hilaire Belloc extends into historical circles. Erudition, humor, and a forceful rhetorical style characterized intellectual vigor and unique perspective, which people continue to study and to appreciate, on history, society, and human nature.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't overly impressed with the writing in this book. After deciding to narrow the scope of my London history, I was excited to find something just about the Thames. It starts off well enough but becomes repetitive very quickly. The author tends, also, to start wandering, and sometimes I would stop and just wonder what the hell he was going on about. The subject of English history is fascinating no matter what, hence the 3 stars, but I don't think this was written all that well and it might put a less hardy Anglophile to sleep.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate it when I pick up a book cold, read a few passages that are interesting, buy it, and find I've ready the only interesting parts. Kind of like a self-selected movie trailer. And it really isn't about the Thames after the first 1/3. Of course, the interesting parts are when he forgets about the Thames (he goes on at great length about the effects of the Dissolution).

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This describes the vital role of the Thames in English history, in a very engaging fashion. From headwaters to the sea, it covers the way the river contributed to war, peace, prosperity, and every other condition of the settlers along the banks.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A history of England's most famous river by former early 20th century Liberal MP. I struggled a bit with this one as there were no chapters, just one long continuous piece of text. Also, for a book about water, it was rather dry.