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Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives
At eighteen, your life is full of possibility. You have everything to look forward to - unless you've got the plague . . . In this unconventional and witty history, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain’s past, exploring the country though eighteen notable figures at this formative age.
From a young Empress Matilda, already changing the fate of nations, to Richard Burton, the rugby-obsessed teenager who grew up in a Welsh mining town, each journey unpicks a different era of Britain.
Irreverent and full of fascinating tidbits (Did you know Chaucer began his career as a scantily clad pageboy?), Loxton shows how the way a society treats its young, reveals much about its values and foibles. Seamlessly blending big history with engaging stories of royalty, explorers, writers and entertainers, Eighteen builds a rich mosaic of Britain's past, inviting a journey of discovery. Looking at the role of class, race, and raw ambition, Loxton also asks what lessons we can take for modern Britain – and why the answers might not be what you think.
From a young Empress Matilda, already changing the fate of nations, to Richard Burton, the rugby-obsessed teenager who grew up in a Welsh mining town, each journey unpicks a different era of Britain.
Irreverent and full of fascinating tidbits (Did you know Chaucer began his career as a scantily clad pageboy?), Loxton shows how the way a society treats its young, reveals much about its values and foibles. Seamlessly blending big history with engaging stories of royalty, explorers, writers and entertainers, Eighteen builds a rich mosaic of Britain's past, inviting a journey of discovery. Looking at the role of class, race, and raw ambition, Loxton also asks what lessons we can take for modern Britain – and why the answers might not be what you think.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2024
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3431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
January 5, 2025
I sit writing the review at the age of 25, on a train to Edinburgh with tears streaming down my face. I’m sure I am currently receiving some pretty odd looks right now but if this book has taught me anything, don’t give too much thought to what others think.
I was given this book by my best friend for my birthday a few weeks ago who saw the quote “next big thing in history” and decided with my obsession with the past it would probably be right up my street. Once I had a look over it I was really interested in its concept and how the author would ago about this interesting and fresh idea! All I can say now is she handled it brilliantly!
Now one thing I should note, this isn’t really a history book. I mean it is, it explores the past and how the concept of “18” has changed over time. It explored each historic character brilliantly in a clear and concise way. It is very surface level but this allows the reader to cover multiple individuals and then explore the ones they love even further at a later point! This approach makes this book much more fun and lighthearted than if it covered every detail for each. It would also probably be 1000 pages long if it did! Potentially the only thing I would change is adding some more characters from early history. It did start to fill a bit modern history heavy but that’s probably just a preference thing from my end and does not worsen the book in any way.
If we look past the “history” label, at its heart it is so much for than that. It is a book about people, society and what makes us all ourselves. To see its true brilliance this book asks you to take a look at yourself not only now but at 18 and really think about who you were/are.
This book brought tears to my eyes throughout listening to the incredible lives of these people, some of who are almost completely forgotten. The pains they went through, the success they achieved becomes incredibly emotive when you think of an 18 year old who has no idea what is to come.
The last chapter finally made the tears fall. I thought of my 18 year old self, full of hope and dreams with a dad who supported her with every step. Now at 25 some dreams have been lost, a few achieved and new ones created. Unfortunately, I am also now without my dad. Something my 18 year old self would not have ever thought possible. After reading this book it has shown me the way these young people used that pain and anguish and allowed it to push them further. I hope one day I get to some of my bigger dreams, whether through work or through my hobbies. I’m sure I will never be featured in a book as brilliant as this but as Loxton beautifully concludes “Who knows what sun-dappled orchards or gently flowing streams await?”
I think everyone should read this history fan or not. It is full of important life lessons we could all learn from!
I was given this book by my best friend for my birthday a few weeks ago who saw the quote “next big thing in history” and decided with my obsession with the past it would probably be right up my street. Once I had a look over it I was really interested in its concept and how the author would ago about this interesting and fresh idea! All I can say now is she handled it brilliantly!
Now one thing I should note, this isn’t really a history book. I mean it is, it explores the past and how the concept of “18” has changed over time. It explored each historic character brilliantly in a clear and concise way. It is very surface level but this allows the reader to cover multiple individuals and then explore the ones they love even further at a later point! This approach makes this book much more fun and lighthearted than if it covered every detail for each. It would also probably be 1000 pages long if it did! Potentially the only thing I would change is adding some more characters from early history. It did start to fill a bit modern history heavy but that’s probably just a preference thing from my end and does not worsen the book in any way.
If we look past the “history” label, at its heart it is so much for than that. It is a book about people, society and what makes us all ourselves. To see its true brilliance this book asks you to take a look at yourself not only now but at 18 and really think about who you were/are.
This book brought tears to my eyes throughout listening to the incredible lives of these people, some of who are almost completely forgotten. The pains they went through, the success they achieved becomes incredibly emotive when you think of an 18 year old who has no idea what is to come.
The last chapter finally made the tears fall. I thought of my 18 year old self, full of hope and dreams with a dad who supported her with every step. Now at 25 some dreams have been lost, a few achieved and new ones created. Unfortunately, I am also now without my dad. Something my 18 year old self would not have ever thought possible. After reading this book it has shown me the way these young people used that pain and anguish and allowed it to push them further. I hope one day I get to some of my bigger dreams, whether through work or through my hobbies. I’m sure I will never be featured in a book as brilliant as this but as Loxton beautifully concludes “Who knows what sun-dappled orchards or gently flowing streams await?”
I think everyone should read this history fan or not. It is full of important life lessons we could all learn from!
June 18, 2025
This was an innovative way to immerse one in British history. It touches on the lives of various individuals before and after they were age 18, the streets where they lived, the surrounding wilderness areas, and people who influenced their adult achievements. Among those chosen, are engineers, architects, writers of novels, poets, fashion designers, archeologists, a renowned painter born without arms and legs, leaders in medical fields, acting, and others. It was fascinating to Google the names for further information and their portraits. Their backgrounds include history of the time and place, other significant people during their lifetimes, and war, plague to struggle through as they eventually became fixed on their goals.
So much British history immersed the reader in this original presentation, and should appeal to readers looking for a very inclusive look at British history and politics , and the differences in how young people were regarded throughout the ages, and the expectations for them. This was an entertaining informative and engaging read.
So much British history immersed the reader in this original presentation, and should appeal to readers looking for a very inclusive look at British history and politics , and the differences in how young people were regarded throughout the ages, and the expectations for them. This was an entertaining informative and engaging read.
August 29, 2024
Alice Loxton’s 18 is an interesting concept for a non-fiction history book - looking at the lives of 18 historical figures at age 18. I knew Loxton from her popular social media posts and her previous work Uproar! which looked at Georgian satire in print.
I struggled to understand who the audience was for this book. It seemed written for people to give 18 year olds on their birthday maybe, as there were quotes from a few current figures at the end like potter off the telly Keith Bremer Jones and Prof Sarah Gilbert who created the Covid vaccine.
I’m also not sure the concept of visiting these figures at 18 year olds worked for me, as it didn’t seem like 18 was a particularly pivotal year for most of them. It was necessary in almost every case to describe their later life, but usually in a truncated manner which sometimes meant context, complexities and nuance were not explored.
I totally understand popular history is often written with a more fun and engaging tone - as it should be - but I felt uncomfortable at points with Loxton’s use of imagination, like when she wondered whether Chaucer would be embarrassed about wanting to write poetry (no, of course not, it was highly respected).
The various dinner party scenes that sat between the chapters - where all the historical figures sat together and partied into the evening - similarly made me cringe a little. I just didn’t think it added much and I’m not sure how relatable a dinner party is to 18 year olds either.
There was a definite bias to figures from the 1800s and later - half of the overall people discussed - which I thought was a shame, but I am much less interested in modern history so that’s probably on me!
I thought some of the lesser-known figures Loxton chose were really interesting, especially Sarah Biffin and Jeffrey Hudson - and I really appreciated the disabled representation in the book.
Overall this would be an interesting introduction to some famous historical figures for young adults or those new to reading history.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced reader copy of this book, which is out now!
I struggled to understand who the audience was for this book. It seemed written for people to give 18 year olds on their birthday maybe, as there were quotes from a few current figures at the end like potter off the telly Keith Bremer Jones and Prof Sarah Gilbert who created the Covid vaccine.
I’m also not sure the concept of visiting these figures at 18 year olds worked for me, as it didn’t seem like 18 was a particularly pivotal year for most of them. It was necessary in almost every case to describe their later life, but usually in a truncated manner which sometimes meant context, complexities and nuance were not explored.
I totally understand popular history is often written with a more fun and engaging tone - as it should be - but I felt uncomfortable at points with Loxton’s use of imagination, like when she wondered whether Chaucer would be embarrassed about wanting to write poetry (no, of course not, it was highly respected).
The various dinner party scenes that sat between the chapters - where all the historical figures sat together and partied into the evening - similarly made me cringe a little. I just didn’t think it added much and I’m not sure how relatable a dinner party is to 18 year olds either.
There was a definite bias to figures from the 1800s and later - half of the overall people discussed - which I thought was a shame, but I am much less interested in modern history so that’s probably on me!
I thought some of the lesser-known figures Loxton chose were really interesting, especially Sarah Biffin and Jeffrey Hudson - and I really appreciated the disabled representation in the book.
Overall this would be an interesting introduction to some famous historical figures for young adults or those new to reading history.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced reader copy of this book, which is out now!
April 20, 2025
I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately feel very disappointed by it. While I completely agree with making history more accessible, I felt this book lacked any gravitas whatsoever. The tone was far too informal at times and there was a mish-mash of styles- using first person, shoehorning in random modern references, pretending to be inside the headspace of the historical figures -which I didn't feel was appropriate for a non-fiction book, especially one being marketed as for adults. And don't get me started on the imaginary dinner party which took place between chapters which I thought was a very odd addition.
I was intrigued by the concept of Eighteen, however it failed in its execution. Ultimately it is very tricky to find someone whose life peaked at the exact age of 18, let alone 18 people, and so each chapter read more just as a mini biography of their whole lives. This was interesting in some cases, especially lesser known figures, but then the chapters were so brief that you were left wishing they had more depth to them. They very much read as quick little skim-reads rather than anything remotely detailed, and at times they are so rushed that I felt explanations of certain events or relationships were lacking.
Overall I'm not sure why this book is marketed at adults - it's clear from the writing style that Loxton is trying to engage more with the generation of her TikTok followers, and yet some of her quirky references are probably out of date for them (would an 18 year old today even know what a Now That's What I Call Music CD is?!) As a history graduate myself, I was surprised that Loxton was publishing history books without having completed any study at postgraduate level, and I think it shows in this book. I'm all for making history less dry, but it should not be dumbed down.
I was intrigued by the concept of Eighteen, however it failed in its execution. Ultimately it is very tricky to find someone whose life peaked at the exact age of 18, let alone 18 people, and so each chapter read more just as a mini biography of their whole lives. This was interesting in some cases, especially lesser known figures, but then the chapters were so brief that you were left wishing they had more depth to them. They very much read as quick little skim-reads rather than anything remotely detailed, and at times they are so rushed that I felt explanations of certain events or relationships were lacking.
Overall I'm not sure why this book is marketed at adults - it's clear from the writing style that Loxton is trying to engage more with the generation of her TikTok followers, and yet some of her quirky references are probably out of date for them (would an 18 year old today even know what a Now That's What I Call Music CD is?!) As a history graduate myself, I was surprised that Loxton was publishing history books without having completed any study at postgraduate level, and I think it shows in this book. I'm all for making history less dry, but it should not be dumbed down.
July 9, 2025
In Eighteen we meet a group of British historical figures around an imagined dinner table, and they're all aged 18! Each chapter than features a different dinner party guest and their life at age 18.
I really liked the vantage point of historical figures at this age; it gave Eighteen a unique jumping off point for a history book, especially since many wouldn't accomplish what they are known for until far later in life. Some were familiar famous figures, but some I'd never heard of before, and I enjoyed the diversity of people chosen.
I found Eighteen insightful, accessible for a YA audience, and it had flare! I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook too.
The dinner party setting was an interesting way to structure the book, but the short interludes didn't appeal to me personally.
I really liked the vantage point of historical figures at this age; it gave Eighteen a unique jumping off point for a history book, especially since many wouldn't accomplish what they are known for until far later in life. Some were familiar famous figures, but some I'd never heard of before, and I enjoyed the diversity of people chosen.
I found Eighteen insightful, accessible for a YA audience, and it had flare! I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook too.
The dinner party setting was an interesting way to structure the book, but the short interludes didn't appeal to me personally.
August 14, 2024
What sort of person were you when you were eighteen years old? What had you accomplished by that point in your life and what were your hopes and dreams for the future? Or, if you haven’t reached that age yet, what would you like to achieve before your eighteenth birthday? In her new book, Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives, Alice Loxton explores the stories of eighteen historical figures, some famous and some more obscure, with a focus on the first eighteen years of their lives and how their childhoods shaped the adults they would later become.
The book is arranged in chronological order, so the first historical figure to be covered is the Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, the Venerable Bede, and the last is the fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Each section is quite short – it’s not a long book and there are lots of lives to get through – but I think Alice Loxton achieves what she sets out to do, which is to shine a light on the early lives of her subjects and the ways in which they are influenced by not only their own family background and upbringing, but also the world around them. She looks only briefly at the achievements that make them famous after the age of eighteen, but that information is available elsewhere and this book is trying to do something different.
Loxton chooses her subjects from all walks of life and a range of different backgrounds, including royalty, artists, engineers, actors and writers. They are almost equally split between men and women and England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all represented. I was less interested in the people I’d read about before, such as Elizabeth I and the Empress Matilda, but there were others I was completely unfamiliar with and I found these chapters fascinating. I’m ashamed to say I knew nothing at all about the life of Jacques Francis, a diver originally from West Africa who attempted to recover the wreck of the Mary Rose during the Tudor period, or Sarah Biffin, an English artist born in the late 18th century without arms or legs.
Alice Loxton’s writing style is very readable and I flew through this book in much less time than it normally takes me to read non-fiction. Although it’s not marketed as being for any particular age group, it’s clearly aimed at readers closer to the age of her subjects, so she doesn’t bombard us with too much information and provides sources and notes at the back of the book rather than interrupting the text. She tries to find analogies that will make sense to young, modern readers, such as comparing a royal progress with a rock band going on tour, and imagines what the lives of some of her other historical figures would look like as a film adaptation or a slideshow. The main biographical chapters are also interspersed with other chapters describing a very special 18th birthday party, but I’ll leave you to find out more about that for yourself if you read the book!
Eighteen would be a fun, accessible way for teenagers to explore British history, but for those of us who are older it’s still an entertaining read and provides a good starting point for further investigation into some of these fascinating historical figures. I’m now interested in reading Alice Loxton’s previous book, Uproar!, about printmakers in Georgian London.
The book is arranged in chronological order, so the first historical figure to be covered is the Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, the Venerable Bede, and the last is the fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Each section is quite short – it’s not a long book and there are lots of lives to get through – but I think Alice Loxton achieves what she sets out to do, which is to shine a light on the early lives of her subjects and the ways in which they are influenced by not only their own family background and upbringing, but also the world around them. She looks only briefly at the achievements that make them famous after the age of eighteen, but that information is available elsewhere and this book is trying to do something different.
Loxton chooses her subjects from all walks of life and a range of different backgrounds, including royalty, artists, engineers, actors and writers. They are almost equally split between men and women and England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all represented. I was less interested in the people I’d read about before, such as Elizabeth I and the Empress Matilda, but there were others I was completely unfamiliar with and I found these chapters fascinating. I’m ashamed to say I knew nothing at all about the life of Jacques Francis, a diver originally from West Africa who attempted to recover the wreck of the Mary Rose during the Tudor period, or Sarah Biffin, an English artist born in the late 18th century without arms or legs.
Alice Loxton’s writing style is very readable and I flew through this book in much less time than it normally takes me to read non-fiction. Although it’s not marketed as being for any particular age group, it’s clearly aimed at readers closer to the age of her subjects, so she doesn’t bombard us with too much information and provides sources and notes at the back of the book rather than interrupting the text. She tries to find analogies that will make sense to young, modern readers, such as comparing a royal progress with a rock band going on tour, and imagines what the lives of some of her other historical figures would look like as a film adaptation or a slideshow. The main biographical chapters are also interspersed with other chapters describing a very special 18th birthday party, but I’ll leave you to find out more about that for yourself if you read the book!
Eighteen would be a fun, accessible way for teenagers to explore British history, but for those of us who are older it’s still an entertaining read and provides a good starting point for further investigation into some of these fascinating historical figures. I’m now interested in reading Alice Loxton’s previous book, Uproar!, about printmakers in Georgian London.
September 29, 2024
well written, but at what cost? I felt that the portrayal of all of these people was very wishy-washy and one-sided and that none of them ever did anything wrong, which made me suspicious. i also thought that explorations into certain parts of identity were not that well done, and I also felt that there was a glossing-over of things like racism, ableism, and sexual assault.
I also didn’t think that the stories were particularly well-weaved together and I thought the premise was a bit misleading, because really, the excerpts were mini biographies, not tableaus of life at 18.
Overall, decent neoliberal writing for the layperson who might have a casual interest in history and its figures, but doesn’t stand up very well to contemporary history writing in its true form. I respect and admire making history more accessible to regular people but i don’t think dumbing it down is necessarily the way to go.
I also didn’t think that the stories were particularly well-weaved together and I thought the premise was a bit misleading, because really, the excerpts were mini biographies, not tableaus of life at 18.
Overall, decent neoliberal writing for the layperson who might have a casual interest in history and its figures, but doesn’t stand up very well to contemporary history writing in its true form. I respect and admire making history more accessible to regular people but i don’t think dumbing it down is necessarily the way to go.
February 10, 2025
Firstly: I was in fact gifted this book for my 18th birthday.
Secondly: It's a tour of life in the British Isles through the perspective of a group of culturally, professionally, geographically, and temporally diverse eighteen-year-olds. The writing style is breezy and more colloquial than I’d expected, but the book is obviously carefully researched. The subjects are well-chosen.
Thirdly: I'd definitely recommend it! Even if the interconnecting vignettes are a little silly.
Secondly: It's a tour of life in the British Isles through the perspective of a group of culturally, professionally, geographically, and temporally diverse eighteen-year-olds. The writing style is breezy and more colloquial than I’d expected, but the book is obviously carefully researched. The subjects are well-chosen.
Thirdly: I'd definitely recommend it! Even if the interconnecting vignettes are a little silly.
October 25, 2024
Such a delightful concept for a book, and Alice Loxton delivers with her usual wit and charm! Eighteen for many across the globe today, is a cultural and legal milestone. An age of significant responsibility as we leap into adulthood and explore uncharted territory. Historically through the ages, life was short and very taxing- with grim prospects. This gorgeous book delves deep into the bygone years, unearthing some of history’s very finest faces and what they managed to achieve at eighteen years old.
Elizabeth Tudor was a survivor, outliving her corrupt father and escaping the Tower Of London after a year and a half of imprisonment by her sister Queen Mary I.
At eighteen years old she was a shrewd learner and had a good head on her shoulders despite her childhood trauma. Qualities fit for a future Queen.
Mary Anning ( I love this lady) was a gifted fossil hunter at eighteen years old, something other Georgian girls could only dream of. As a baby she very fortunately lived after lightning struck a neighbour who was carrying her at the time. By God’s mercy and some miraculous mishap, she went on to later discover the skeleton of a plesiosaur. A huge scientific win and honour for someone so young.
Jacques Francis was a young African man, exceptionally talented at diving and holding his breath underwater. No mean feat for a teenager. It was Jaques who headed the salvage of the famous Mary Rose ship which sunk to its watery grave in 1545. A huge knock to Henry VIII’s ego but a big win for this gifted lad.
These are just a few examples of some of the cool stories Alice Loxton excellently retells. I loved this book a lot! A great history lesson for sure.
Elizabeth Tudor was a survivor, outliving her corrupt father and escaping the Tower Of London after a year and a half of imprisonment by her sister Queen Mary I.
At eighteen years old she was a shrewd learner and had a good head on her shoulders despite her childhood trauma. Qualities fit for a future Queen.
Mary Anning ( I love this lady) was a gifted fossil hunter at eighteen years old, something other Georgian girls could only dream of. As a baby she very fortunately lived after lightning struck a neighbour who was carrying her at the time. By God’s mercy and some miraculous mishap, she went on to later discover the skeleton of a plesiosaur. A huge scientific win and honour for someone so young.
Jacques Francis was a young African man, exceptionally talented at diving and holding his breath underwater. No mean feat for a teenager. It was Jaques who headed the salvage of the famous Mary Rose ship which sunk to its watery grave in 1545. A huge knock to Henry VIII’s ego but a big win for this gifted lad.
These are just a few examples of some of the cool stories Alice Loxton excellently retells. I loved this book a lot! A great history lesson for sure.
November 16, 2024
The idea is to look at the lives of 18 people from history at the age of 18. Sounds great and was in parts. Then near the end, there is a section filled with advice on how to make the most of their lives. Oh dear. 18 year olds listening to advice? I’m not even convinced that many 18 year olds would read this book. I wouldn’t have!
December 19, 2024
Novel structure and presentation, great bit of 'teenage' history.
4.5 stars
Famous people at 18... who were they? That's the premise of this, with a pretty-youthful-herself historian both using sources and imagination to place 18 famous people from history in a dinner party together, and looking in turn at each of their young lives and how the people they were at the dawn of their adult years informed the people we still know now.
Quite a brilliant idea, and she carries it off well, with some surmising and guesses thrown in. But I hadn't known the young lives of a lot of these people. C. S Lewis's background, Richard Burton. I had never heard of Jacques Francis or Sarah Biffin, among others here.
Very easy to read and chock full of facts. I liked the addition at the end of places to visit important to these persons (where they are buried maybe, or places important in their stories), and the quotes from a lot of notable people on their own lives at age 18 - from Levi Roots and Ainsley Harriott to Jon Snow and Nick Sharratt.
Both a book of history and almost an inspirational volume for the newly-adult, it does remind us that we aren't born famous or great or achieving. That our past influences our personality, skills and direction in life. And that we all matter, in whatever walk of life we tread.
One to watch.
4.5 stars
Famous people at 18... who were they? That's the premise of this, with a pretty-youthful-herself historian both using sources and imagination to place 18 famous people from history in a dinner party together, and looking in turn at each of their young lives and how the people they were at the dawn of their adult years informed the people we still know now.
Quite a brilliant idea, and she carries it off well, with some surmising and guesses thrown in. But I hadn't known the young lives of a lot of these people. C. S Lewis's background, Richard Burton. I had never heard of Jacques Francis or Sarah Biffin, among others here.
Very easy to read and chock full of facts. I liked the addition at the end of places to visit important to these persons (where they are buried maybe, or places important in their stories), and the quotes from a lot of notable people on their own lives at age 18 - from Levi Roots and Ainsley Harriott to Jon Snow and Nick Sharratt.
Both a book of history and almost an inspirational volume for the newly-adult, it does remind us that we aren't born famous or great or achieving. That our past influences our personality, skills and direction in life. And that we all matter, in whatever walk of life we tread.
One to watch.
March 3, 2025
Eighteen would make a great eighteenth birthday gift for a high school graduate interested in history. Loxton includes both well known historical figures such as Elizabeth I and Geoffrey Chaucer and little known figures such as Sarah Biffin and Jeffrey Hudson, providing a cross section of different experiences of young people over the centuries. However, turning eighteen does not appear to have been a life changing experience for a lot of these historical figures, who had formative experiences at an earlier age and achievements at a later age. The fictional dinner party scenes that bring together all the characters fall flat. I also thought that making the eighteenth historical figure in the collection "you, dear reader" was a missed opportunity to discuss a prominent figure who is eighteen today and the expectations they face. There have been a lot of social and cultural changes since Vivienne Westwood, the last person discussed in the book before "dear reader," turned eighteen. A good idea for a book that doesn't quite come together.
January 14, 2025
A very annoying book. Alice Loxton's bi-op on the cover says she is a pod caster and blogger. This may explain why she is so in your face in the text. She is definitely no historian. The book itself is best described as fluff. It has very little historical worth or interest. I wondered what age group it was aimed at as the writing reminded me of the old ladybird books I read as a child.
The chapters are joined by scenes from an imagined dinner party, with even a game of spin the bottle. It was cringe worthy. A very old old idea dragged out, dusted off and presented as novel and witty. It falls on its face.
The chapters are joined by scenes from an imagined dinner party, with even a game of spin the bottle. It was cringe worthy. A very old old idea dragged out, dusted off and presented as novel and witty. It falls on its face.
November 4, 2025
I honestly hate it when authors make a pretense of interacting with historical figures. It's really cringey and jarring. These flights of fancies are invariably boring because there's never anything of substance happening in them. They also tend to always make me think that the real person would be completely taken aback if they ever heard about themselves being puppeted so. Loxton also strips the characters of their historical and socioeconomic context when placing them in these scenes which completely defeats the purpose of learning about these people at all. Maybe Vivian would entertain the thought of spin the bottle, but Matilda? The very thought!
February 27, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. Alice Loxton is a great storyteller. Her writing is fun and compelling. Absolutely recommend.
November 12, 2025
Koselig og informativ 🥰
December 23, 2025
Creative idea…took me over a month to read as I was also reading other books and just in a really busy time of life! I think I expected more first-hand accounts, but some of these eighteen year olds are from a very, very long time ago. So, even though this book is nonfiction, there is a lot of speculation throughout.
September 1, 2024
What an interesting read! Take 18 figures from history and look at their lives at the age of 18. The chosen 18 are written about in chronological order, so we start in the Middle Ages and work our way right through to the 20th Century. They are from different walks of life (royalty, engineers, entertainment to name a few) and I have to admit I haven't heard of some of them! I did find this refreshing though and different from the historical figures we usually see written about.
The sections for each figure are well written and interesting with lots of historical information. They aren't necessarily known for a specific achievement at the age of 18, but it does cover what they were doing at that age. In between these sections, we have a little fictional treat where all the characters meet up together! It was a light and easy read, entertaining in parts and definitely educational throughout (I certainly learnt some things!) It would make a lovely gift for someone celebrating their 18th birthday, and maybe give some ideas as to what can be achieved in life!
The sections for each figure are well written and interesting with lots of historical information. They aren't necessarily known for a specific achievement at the age of 18, but it does cover what they were doing at that age. In between these sections, we have a little fictional treat where all the characters meet up together! It was a light and easy read, entertaining in parts and definitely educational throughout (I certainly learnt some things!) It would make a lovely gift for someone celebrating their 18th birthday, and maybe give some ideas as to what can be achieved in life!
February 1, 2025
Don't be fooled, as I was, by the suggestive marketing of this book as offering new insights into the young lives of famous people from British history. Instead, it's mostly a tome apparently aimed at teenagers, supposedly so they could take inspiration from others and thus contribute greatly to society as they age. So I was disappointed with the book and struggled to finish reading it. Too, much of the historical evidence it provides is mere speculation, especially for those of long-ago centuries. And the between-chapters effort to imagine all of these folks all attending the same 18th birthday party with readers just seems silly. Maybe I was expecting too much from this author, whom I've previously enjoyed watching on several video presentations about British history.
February 2, 2025
A sweet premise. Loxton takes us on a journey sharing stories from some of Britain’s greats. She has a way of making these figures feel relatable and applying lessons from their life into my own life. I especially liked her commentary afterword of thinking deeper towards life and the adversity that shapes us in our teenage years.
Ultimately it dragged. The dinner party scenes in between chapters simply didn’t connect. And with 17 names that I only read about for a chapter I had a hard time remembering them all.
Overall though I enjoyed it. It feels written for the 18 year olds in the world as an introduction to history and thinking deeper towards life meaning.
Ultimately it dragged. The dinner party scenes in between chapters simply didn’t connect. And with 17 names that I only read about for a chapter I had a hard time remembering them all.
Overall though I enjoyed it. It feels written for the 18 year olds in the world as an introduction to history and thinking deeper towards life meaning.
February 9, 2025
Slowly but surely getting back on track with my readings and finished by 2nd physical book of the year.
I really enjoyed "Eighteen by Alice Loxton. Not only did I learn a lot about British history and "met" some incredible people, I also learned some new insights and fun facts.
In my opinion the book and its writing style is generally more taylored towards a younger audience, but any person will get something out of this I am sure.
If you are on the hunt for a bit of a lighter non-fiction read, this is just the book for you!
I really enjoyed "Eighteen by Alice Loxton. Not only did I learn a lot about British history and "met" some incredible people, I also learned some new insights and fun facts.
In my opinion the book and its writing style is generally more taylored towards a younger audience, but any person will get something out of this I am sure.
If you are on the hunt for a bit of a lighter non-fiction read, this is just the book for you!
March 23, 2025
Well that was dull.
For a book that is supposed to be about what famous historical figures are doing at 18, the majority of the words are used on describing what they’re doing before 18 and after.
It’s very well researched, but I feel like the point was lost.
For a book that is supposed to be about what famous historical figures are doing at 18, the majority of the words are used on describing what they’re doing before 18 and after.
It’s very well researched, but I feel like the point was lost.
January 11, 2026
There was plenty of 'good' - This set of mini-biographies contains an interesting range of subjects, the author has clearly performed plenty of research, and she is clearly passionate about what is an intriguing idea for a book. I did learn plenty about those discussed, especially the handful about which I'd heard nothing before, and appreciate this gift and the author for likely stimulating further reading by myself into some of those featured.
However, there was plenty I liked less. Most obviously, the style/format in which this was written. The book is clearly aimed at those just reaching the age of majority, or people buying books for those reaching this milestone (call me a cynic if you like for assuming so - however I don't begrudge this.. it's an appealing idea) and as someone almost thirty years past that age I hence probably wasn't the reader for whom this is written, as much as I do like history and did find the biographies interesting. I just found the writing style a little dumbed down, and punctuated with slightly embarrassing-feeling attempts at humour from the author (a decade past eighteen when this was written, I think). The little sections between chapters where the author imagined the various subjects of the book all attending a party.. well these felt horribly clunky and inconceivable despite my understanding the basis of this conceit.
So yes, a mixed bag. I understand I'm not the consumer that the author had in mind when she wrote this book, but are people born a decade and a half later than me that different as to need something presented in this manner? I appreciate I may be in the wrong and I understand I can neither go back in time and re-read this as a teenager myself nor fully appreciate the culturally different nature of being eighteen these days. It just felt odd for all the fact the 'meat' of the content was good.
However, there was plenty I liked less. Most obviously, the style/format in which this was written. The book is clearly aimed at those just reaching the age of majority, or people buying books for those reaching this milestone (call me a cynic if you like for assuming so - however I don't begrudge this.. it's an appealing idea) and as someone almost thirty years past that age I hence probably wasn't the reader for whom this is written, as much as I do like history and did find the biographies interesting. I just found the writing style a little dumbed down, and punctuated with slightly embarrassing-feeling attempts at humour from the author (a decade past eighteen when this was written, I think). The little sections between chapters where the author imagined the various subjects of the book all attending a party.. well these felt horribly clunky and inconceivable despite my understanding the basis of this conceit.
So yes, a mixed bag. I understand I'm not the consumer that the author had in mind when she wrote this book, but are people born a decade and a half later than me that different as to need something presented in this manner? I appreciate I may be in the wrong and I understand I can neither go back in time and re-read this as a teenager myself nor fully appreciate the culturally different nature of being eighteen these days. It just felt odd for all the fact the 'meat' of the content was good.
July 20, 2025
(3.5 ish?) randomly picked this up from my mum's pile of books; charming and expansive, and I appreciated that the subject matter moved outside of the obvious picks; a good range of subjects, from the very famous (like Elizabeth) to the more specific (like Jacques). This did mean that occasionally it felt as if Loxton was filling space though, especially if very little is known about the subject outside of a few key bits, like Bede; there was a lot of slightly romanticised or even generalised speculation there because since he lived so long ago there's very little fact about him, whereas with the later figures we have much more to draw on. And the relatively short chapters and the focus on the teenage years of people who often Later became famous meant that it could sometimes feel a bit skimmy, and not go into as much depth as I would have liked, but nonetheless accomplished a good overview of each! Succumbs a little to the British Twee Disease too lol, especially towards the end, but I liked it anyway
December 30, 2025
(2.5) The concept of the book, learning about historical characters at the age of eighteen, really intrigued me. In fact, the 18 element is barely significant in the lives of most of the characters chosen.
How on earth did this book achieve the accolades it has? The introduction was written in such a mishmash of styles and tenses that I nearly gave up at that point. I absolutely support the idea of writing in an accessible way but this assumes no knowledge of history at all. I thought it must be written for young readers but apparently not. No, it’s just patronising and only bearable by reading in small chunks. The dinner party episodes between the biographical chapters were incredibly annoying so I skipped them completely.
I persevered as I knew nothing about 3 of the individuals featured. I did learn some interesting facts in the other chapters but many were entirely irrelevant to the sections in which they appeared, eg Wales as the home of both the equals sign and pot noodle in a chapter set in the 13th century!
How on earth did this book achieve the accolades it has? The introduction was written in such a mishmash of styles and tenses that I nearly gave up at that point. I absolutely support the idea of writing in an accessible way but this assumes no knowledge of history at all. I thought it must be written for young readers but apparently not. No, it’s just patronising and only bearable by reading in small chunks. The dinner party episodes between the biographical chapters were incredibly annoying so I skipped them completely.
I persevered as I knew nothing about 3 of the individuals featured. I did learn some interesting facts in the other chapters but many were entirely irrelevant to the sections in which they appeared, eg Wales as the home of both the equals sign and pot noodle in a chapter set in the 13th century!
August 14, 2024
Eighteen is a glorious celebration of those young people who straddle the divide between childhood and adulthood, so full of promise, ambition and joie de vivre.
Eighteen historical British notables have been chosen to meet at a fantasy dinner party. Some of them are already powerful and famous at eighteen years old, others have yet to discover their talents. Each person gets a chapter and we find out more about them and who they will become as an adult.
Such a good idea for a book - would make an excellent birthday present for the eighteen year old in your life!
Eighteen historical British notables have been chosen to meet at a fantasy dinner party. Some of them are already powerful and famous at eighteen years old, others have yet to discover their talents. Each person gets a chapter and we find out more about them and who they will become as an adult.
Such a good idea for a book - would make an excellent birthday present for the eighteen year old in your life!
December 2, 2024
This was such a fascinating approach to British History - it tells the story of eighteen different people throughout history, giving a snapshot of what their lives would have been at 18 years old. For many years, considering the difference in life-expectancy, it was much more of a “middle age” than it is now. I learned about some individuals I’d never heard of, and also some new things about individuals I had!
November 5, 2025
if you're someone who finds nonfiction a little daunting i think this would be a good start!
each chapter is fairly short and focuses on a different 18 year old throughout britain's history. there's a short introduction between each where loxton creates an alternate world where the chapters' subjects are at a fictional party. the chapters give you just enough for you to get the gist about that person and a brief into what life was like for a person at that age during that time period.
i give it a solid 4 stars because i found it enjoyable the way that loxton wrote. it scratched my nonfiction itch!
each chapter is fairly short and focuses on a different 18 year old throughout britain's history. there's a short introduction between each where loxton creates an alternate world where the chapters' subjects are at a fictional party. the chapters give you just enough for you to get the gist about that person and a brief into what life was like for a person at that age during that time period.
i give it a solid 4 stars because i found it enjoyable the way that loxton wrote. it scratched my nonfiction itch!
October 25, 2024
A wonderful non-fiction book for a young reader. By creating short and very readable cameos of actual historical figures, Alice Loxton had offered an entertaining yet educational and even inspirational album of fascinating live stories. And thought focused on the young, it can be enjoyed by the old as well :D
October 25, 2025
"And as you pull open the door, and head down the stairs to join the others, you step forward into the rest of your life. Ready for whatever the future may hold. Ready for whatever is written in the stars." 🩵
I traveled through time and saw Britain in different ages, meeting many young and inspirational people. Some of them I already knew, but some were a pleasant surprise. I am glad Alice Loxton brought them all together to celebrate not only their eighteenth birthdays once more, but also their fantastic achievements.
This was a delightful and fun book! Alice Loxton knows how to build atmosphere, the image and feeling of a certain time in history. It’s so captivating. I could perfectly imagine where and how each of these young people lived.
The author knows how to intertwine humor, making the story refreshing and engaging. While we live alongside these eighteen-year-olds, you can still feel Alice Loxton walking with us, guiding us through time.
Though I must admit, my heart belongs to the historical personas, not so much the modern ones or those from the late last century. My interest dipped a bit there. Nonetheless, it remained an educational and fascinating read.
And to end my review, here is a quote from my favorite historical persona’s story:
"Diamonds, as they say, are made under pressure, and the immense pressure of Elizabeth's childhood produced a dazzling diamond in the rough. These were lessons that made Elizabeth. This was the making of Gloriana." 👑
I traveled through time and saw Britain in different ages, meeting many young and inspirational people. Some of them I already knew, but some were a pleasant surprise. I am glad Alice Loxton brought them all together to celebrate not only their eighteenth birthdays once more, but also their fantastic achievements.
This was a delightful and fun book! Alice Loxton knows how to build atmosphere, the image and feeling of a certain time in history. It’s so captivating. I could perfectly imagine where and how each of these young people lived.
The author knows how to intertwine humor, making the story refreshing and engaging. While we live alongside these eighteen-year-olds, you can still feel Alice Loxton walking with us, guiding us through time.
Though I must admit, my heart belongs to the historical personas, not so much the modern ones or those from the late last century. My interest dipped a bit there. Nonetheless, it remained an educational and fascinating read.
And to end my review, here is a quote from my favorite historical persona’s story:
"Diamonds, as they say, are made under pressure, and the immense pressure of Elizabeth's childhood produced a dazzling diamond in the rough. These were lessons that made Elizabeth. This was the making of Gloriana." 👑
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