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A History of Britain #1
A History of Britain 1: At the Edge of the World 3000BC-AD1603
History clings tight but it also kicks loose,' writes Simon Schama at the outset of At the Edge of the World?, the first book in his three-volume journey into Britain's past. And change - sometimes gentle and subtle, sometimes shocking and violent - is the dynamic of Schama's unapologetically personal and grippingly written history. At its heart lie questions of compelling importance for Britain's future as well as its what makes or breaks a nation? To whom do we give our allegiance and why? And where do the boundaries of our community lie - in our hearth and home, our village or city, tribe or faith? What is Britain - one country or many? Has British history unfolded 'at the edge of the world' or right at the heart of it? Schama delivers these themes in a form that is at once traditional and excitingly fresh. The great and the wicked are here - Becket and Thomas Cromwell, Robert the Bruce and Anne Boleyn - but so are countless more ordinary lives, depicted in Schama's brilliant portrait of the life of the British people.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
293 people are currently reading
4729 people want to read
About the author
Simon Schama
80 books1,042 followersSir Simon Michael Schama is an English historian and television presenter. He specialises in art history, Dutch history, Jewish history, and French history. He is a Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University.
Schama first came to public attention with his history of the French Revolution titled Citizens, published in 1989. He is also known for writing and hosting the 15-part BBC television documentary series A History of Britain (2000—2002), as well as other documentary series such as The American Future: A History (2008) and The Story of the Jews (2013).
Schama was knighted in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Schama first came to public attention with his history of the French Revolution titled Citizens, published in 1989. He is also known for writing and hosting the 15-part BBC television documentary series A History of Britain (2000—2002), as well as other documentary series such as The American Future: A History (2008) and The Story of the Jews (2013).
Schama was knighted in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
March 15, 2024
What really struck me as I started this book was how lucky I am to live in the age I do. It tracks the history of the Britain from its earliest settlers through to the death of Elizabeth I, though it should be noted that this timeline falls short of the actual unification into a sovereign state by about a hundred years. It skips through the first three thousand years in a blink of an eye but then came the Romans, where it lingers to talk at length of their three hundred years of occupation. Actually, this conquest seems to have been a relatively friendly one, which is more than can be said for the arrival of the Vikings, the Anglo-Saxon and the Normans that followed. There was slaughter aplenty and no sign of satellite television, smartphones or easyJet flights to the hotspots of the Mediterranean to ease the strain. Life was tough… and short.
But the meat of this book focuses on the era of the Plantagenet rulers (1145 – 1485) and the Tudor period (1485 – 1603). In this time, you only needed to look a someone a little ‘sideways’ to find out that your next stop was to be kneeling before a block, facing a bloke with a huge axe. There seemed to be an and endless list of executions of notable figures. The Kings and Queens, to a large extent, were a motley bunch and there was always someone looking to undermine them or overthrow them – so I suppose a degree of trigger finger (axe finger?) is excusable.
Such were the excesses of some rulers that eventually the Magna Carta (1215) was signed by King John of England as a practical solution to a political crisis he was facing - and thus launching a document that was to become a cornerstone of the British constitution. There were many more challenges to come, though. In the 1300’s the Black Death arrived in Europe and killed approaching half the population of this island. This must surely have been the most appalling time in history!
A good deal of the high profile history herein wasn’t a surprise to me, though it did flesh out some detail. But there were a number of things I’d just not come across before. For instance, I was totally unaware of the fact that anti-Semitism was rife in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. There were massacres in York in 1190 and an Edict of Expulsion was issued by Edward I in 1290, ordering all Jews to leave the country immediately!
It’s not a bundle of laughs, this book, but then again it’s not meant to be. It’s informative, if a little dry in parts. But if, like me, you want to gain some insight into what made pre-Britain great then this one might just do the job.
But the meat of this book focuses on the era of the Plantagenet rulers (1145 – 1485) and the Tudor period (1485 – 1603). In this time, you only needed to look a someone a little ‘sideways’ to find out that your next stop was to be kneeling before a block, facing a bloke with a huge axe. There seemed to be an and endless list of executions of notable figures. The Kings and Queens, to a large extent, were a motley bunch and there was always someone looking to undermine them or overthrow them – so I suppose a degree of trigger finger (axe finger?) is excusable.
Such were the excesses of some rulers that eventually the Magna Carta (1215) was signed by King John of England as a practical solution to a political crisis he was facing - and thus launching a document that was to become a cornerstone of the British constitution. There were many more challenges to come, though. In the 1300’s the Black Death arrived in Europe and killed approaching half the population of this island. This must surely have been the most appalling time in history!
A good deal of the high profile history herein wasn’t a surprise to me, though it did flesh out some detail. But there were a number of things I’d just not come across before. For instance, I was totally unaware of the fact that anti-Semitism was rife in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. There were massacres in York in 1190 and an Edict of Expulsion was issued by Edward I in 1290, ordering all Jews to leave the country immediately!
It’s not a bundle of laughs, this book, but then again it’s not meant to be. It’s informative, if a little dry in parts. But if, like me, you want to gain some insight into what made pre-Britain great then this one might just do the job.
July 4, 2014
Too many Game Of Thrones spoilers.
November 1, 2011
If you are looking for a book that will give you a general history of Britain then this is not the book you are looking for. Schama rigidly sticks to the politics of the English monarchy and covers little else. Scotland and Wales are mentioned only when their histories cross with England. Social history is barely touched upon, technological and scientific history is ignored and Schama has a terrible habit of mythologising his subjects.
On the whole, I came away from this book terribly depressed. It's a chronology of men with too much money and power forever fighting one another for more money and power. Schama tries very hard to make it sound majestic and noble but this often leaves a bad taste in the mouth when he's talking about the slaughter of thousands of men. I was left wondering about the British citizens. The ones who fought the wars, worked the fields, drank in ale houses and raised the children. What did they think and wear and play? This book isn't interested in telling that story.
If you want to learn about the Kings and Queens of England then this book is a good choice but I can't recommend it for anything more than that. I certainly came away more informed about the monarchy than before I went in.
On the whole, I came away from this book terribly depressed. It's a chronology of men with too much money and power forever fighting one another for more money and power. Schama tries very hard to make it sound majestic and noble but this often leaves a bad taste in the mouth when he's talking about the slaughter of thousands of men. I was left wondering about the British citizens. The ones who fought the wars, worked the fields, drank in ale houses and raised the children. What did they think and wear and play? This book isn't interested in telling that story.
If you want to learn about the Kings and Queens of England then this book is a good choice but I can't recommend it for anything more than that. I certainly came away more informed about the monarchy than before I went in.
May 23, 2008
This is the book that kickstarted my anglophilia when I was about 13 years old. I mean, I was already trending that way in my book choices (My Victorian thing started early), but this sealed the deal. It's a history book, over 400 pages that deals with thousands of years of history. And I just devoured it, in about a week. At the age of 13, where I shouldn't have found the reading remotely interesting. He makes it into high drama that keeps you turning pages. It's presented in a geniunely interesting and readable way. I just found this in the stack of books at my parents' house and started to leaf through it. I was 100 pages in an hour later. I couldn't just skim it.
Obviously, you have to love English history to be interested in this book, as I do. Also, as it is not you know, a few bricks in width, it obviously glosses over the details of a lot of things. He just doesn't have the time to deal with it. He does give you all the events and the salient details that you need to know to keep the history moving, all the major battles and deals and figures and trends. He does a wonderful job of tying all the knots together and showing continuity as well as change.
Love it.
Obviously, you have to love English history to be interested in this book, as I do. Also, as it is not you know, a few bricks in width, it obviously glosses over the details of a lot of things. He just doesn't have the time to deal with it. He does give you all the events and the salient details that you need to know to keep the history moving, all the major battles and deals and figures and trends. He does a wonderful job of tying all the knots together and showing continuity as well as change.
Love it.
unfinished-or-abandoned
December 23, 2025such a disappointment!
I'd been aware of this title for a while, and was happy to locate it in the RNIB library.
it was definitely not worth my time clearing space on my phone to download it! 😕
the book blurb mentions "...from the time of the earliest settlements, discovered in the Orkneys...", but this is misleading. the Orkney Islands do get a brief mention... but o, so brief! and a pretty dismissive and patronising one - i think the author used the word 'little' at least 4 times in describing aspects of Skara Brae, and not to specifically reference it's size 😕
a few other sites are mentioned in passing, and then he's onto the Romans.
3500+ years glossed over in a couple/few paragraphs!
I'd already waited thru way too many quotes at the start of the book, and skipped much of what was a boring preface... perhaps i should have known 🙄🤔
i didn't much take to the authors style either - his use of colloquial language and phrasing, both doesn't necessarily age well, and also speaks of cultural assumptions (a reference to Eeyore!?!). there were alot of "must have" this and that too - alot of supposition 😕🙄
sadly abandoned around 6 percent in (cue moment for another, and perhaps more appropriate, Eeyore reference!! 😉)
🥱😕🙄😕😔
accessed as an RNIB talking book, read by Stephen Thorne
I'd been aware of this title for a while, and was happy to locate it in the RNIB library.
it was definitely not worth my time clearing space on my phone to download it! 😕
the book blurb mentions "...from the time of the earliest settlements, discovered in the Orkneys...", but this is misleading. the Orkney Islands do get a brief mention... but o, so brief! and a pretty dismissive and patronising one - i think the author used the word 'little' at least 4 times in describing aspects of Skara Brae, and not to specifically reference it's size 😕
a few other sites are mentioned in passing, and then he's onto the Romans.
3500+ years glossed over in a couple/few paragraphs!
I'd already waited thru way too many quotes at the start of the book, and skipped much of what was a boring preface... perhaps i should have known 🙄🤔
i didn't much take to the authors style either - his use of colloquial language and phrasing, both doesn't necessarily age well, and also speaks of cultural assumptions (a reference to Eeyore!?!). there were alot of "must have" this and that too - alot of supposition 😕🙄
sadly abandoned around 6 percent in (cue moment for another, and perhaps more appropriate, Eeyore reference!! 😉)
🥱😕🙄😕😔
accessed as an RNIB talking book, read by Stephen Thorne
February 7, 2020
Bücher über die Geschichte Großbritanniens gibt es natürlich reichlich. Ich weiß gar nicht mehr, wie ich auf dieses spezielle Werk gekommen bin, jedenfalls nicht über die zu Grunde liegende Geschichtsdokumentationsreihe der BBC, die habe ich nie gesehen. Simon Schama ist mir jedoch als in den Medien präsenter, renommierter und einflussreicher Historiker bekannt, ich folge ihm auch auf Twitter. Was mich wohl besonders gereizt hat an dem Buch, war die Zeitangabe 3000 BC. Wer mich kennt, weiß, je älter, desto mehr interessiert es mich.
Wie das aber so oft in epochenübergreifenden Geschichtswerken ist, kommt auch hier die Vor- und Frühgeschichte für meinen Geschmack etwas zu kurz. Schon auf Seite 63 beginnt das Kapitel über die normannische Eroberung. Ich wusste schon einiges über britische Geschichte, das Buch war jedoch gut geeignet, um mein Wissen aufzufrischen und zu erweitern, um die verschiedenen Könige und ihre Familienzugehörigkeiten aufzudröseln. Schama stellt auch einige Thesen auf, die mir bisher nicht bekannt waren. Interessant fand ich etwa, dass der Schwarze Tod im 14. Jahrhundert direkte Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaftsstruktur und die Entwicklung hin zu mehr Demokratie hatte, und zwar weil so viele Arbeitskräfte fehlten, dass die Arbeitgeber gezwungen waren, bessere Löhne zu zahlen.
„A momentous change was under way in the villages of England, Wales and Scotland. The balance of economic power was shifting dramatically and, for once, it favoured the people and not the lords. Before he, too, died from the plague, the reeve of Farnham complained that the harvest was costing twelve pence an acre to bring in – double the pre-plague rates. Labour was thin on the ground now, and it was beginning to charge accordingly. … King Death, was, then, an unlikel liberator, shaking up the old social hierarchy in the countryside and rearranging the relationship between the powerful and the powerless“ (Seite 204-205).
Die Informationsdichte des Buches ist schon sehr hoch, ich konnte es nicht so schnell lesen, wie ich erhofft hatte, aber das ist bei einem Werk, das einen so großen Zeitraum abdeckt, auch nicht wirklich anders zu erwarten. Was ich ansonsten noch zu kritisieren habe, ist der Fokus auf England, Schottland und Wales kommen für meine Begriffe etwas zu kurz. Die Geschichte dreier Länder über einen so großen Zeitraum hinweg abzudecken, ist wohl einfach etwas zu ambitioniert. Hier wäre eine weitere Aufteilung in zwei Bücher für mein Dafürhalten sinnvoll gewesen. Das Buch endet mit dem Tod von Elizabeth I. Ich bin mir noch nicht sicher, ob ich die Folgebände auch lesen werde. Mein geschichtliches Interesse betrifft wie bereits erwähnt eher ältere Epochen. Ich kann mir allerdings durchaus vorstellen, eventuell andere Werke von Simon Schama zu lesen.
Wie das aber so oft in epochenübergreifenden Geschichtswerken ist, kommt auch hier die Vor- und Frühgeschichte für meinen Geschmack etwas zu kurz. Schon auf Seite 63 beginnt das Kapitel über die normannische Eroberung. Ich wusste schon einiges über britische Geschichte, das Buch war jedoch gut geeignet, um mein Wissen aufzufrischen und zu erweitern, um die verschiedenen Könige und ihre Familienzugehörigkeiten aufzudröseln. Schama stellt auch einige Thesen auf, die mir bisher nicht bekannt waren. Interessant fand ich etwa, dass der Schwarze Tod im 14. Jahrhundert direkte Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaftsstruktur und die Entwicklung hin zu mehr Demokratie hatte, und zwar weil so viele Arbeitskräfte fehlten, dass die Arbeitgeber gezwungen waren, bessere Löhne zu zahlen.
„A momentous change was under way in the villages of England, Wales and Scotland. The balance of economic power was shifting dramatically and, for once, it favoured the people and not the lords. Before he, too, died from the plague, the reeve of Farnham complained that the harvest was costing twelve pence an acre to bring in – double the pre-plague rates. Labour was thin on the ground now, and it was beginning to charge accordingly. … King Death, was, then, an unlikel liberator, shaking up the old social hierarchy in the countryside and rearranging the relationship between the powerful and the powerless“ (Seite 204-205).
Die Informationsdichte des Buches ist schon sehr hoch, ich konnte es nicht so schnell lesen, wie ich erhofft hatte, aber das ist bei einem Werk, das einen so großen Zeitraum abdeckt, auch nicht wirklich anders zu erwarten. Was ich ansonsten noch zu kritisieren habe, ist der Fokus auf England, Schottland und Wales kommen für meine Begriffe etwas zu kurz. Die Geschichte dreier Länder über einen so großen Zeitraum hinweg abzudecken, ist wohl einfach etwas zu ambitioniert. Hier wäre eine weitere Aufteilung in zwei Bücher für mein Dafürhalten sinnvoll gewesen. Das Buch endet mit dem Tod von Elizabeth I. Ich bin mir noch nicht sicher, ob ich die Folgebände auch lesen werde. Mein geschichtliches Interesse betrifft wie bereits erwähnt eher ältere Epochen. Ich kann mir allerdings durchaus vorstellen, eventuell andere Werke von Simon Schama zu lesen.
June 30, 2020
Maybe 3.5. An interesting history book but a bit limited in scope, and a little too royal-focused for my liking.
July 15, 2018
Though I can say I learned a lot from this book, I can only say that what I learned dealt mostly with the politics and monarchy of Britain because that is primarily what this book covered. I think it may have also been a little more appropriate to call this a history of England because Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were given very little attention here.
Informative yet limited in historical subject matter.
November 16, 2015
I knew about Simon Schama's A History of Britain from watching the excellent BBC documentary series of the same name that was based on this 3 volume set. If you delve into these books, I would highly recommend watching the 15 episode series first in order to get a primer, especially if your knowledge of British history is weak. It helps immensely to get a visual of things that Schama is referring to before starting on the books.
This first book of the series spans prehistoric Britain to the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. It's a huge amount to cover and there are an overwhelming number of facts and dates discussed. Sometimes it felt rushed, and other times, he did a more thorough job of covering events. (For instance, he thoroughly discussed pivotal events such as The Battle of Hastings, the Magna Carta, and the English Reformation under Henry VIII. But the events of the 1400's were not covered very well). I have to admit that parts of it were dry, especially those that he only discussed on a superficial level and those I was completely unfamiliar with.
I do enjoy Schama's writing style and would recommend this book if you are interested in British history. However, for a more entertaining overview, I would watch the mini series first.
Read count: 2
1. January 2014
2. November 2015
This first book of the series spans prehistoric Britain to the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. It's a huge amount to cover and there are an overwhelming number of facts and dates discussed. Sometimes it felt rushed, and other times, he did a more thorough job of covering events. (For instance, he thoroughly discussed pivotal events such as The Battle of Hastings, the Magna Carta, and the English Reformation under Henry VIII. But the events of the 1400's were not covered very well). I have to admit that parts of it were dry, especially those that he only discussed on a superficial level and those I was completely unfamiliar with.
I do enjoy Schama's writing style and would recommend this book if you are interested in British history. However, for a more entertaining overview, I would watch the mini series first.
Read count: 2
1. January 2014
2. November 2015
June 5, 2022
Verbose. Starts with a rambling, roundabout musing about what history /means/. Littered with unnecessary details. Answers questions such as
goodreads.com/trivia/work/2339309-a-h...
For concise character sketches of British monarchs 1066-2005, see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
goodreads.com/trivia/work/2339309-a-h...
For concise character sketches of British monarchs 1066-2005, see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 1, 2015
This is a fairly decent summary of British history if a bit sketchy. Schama clearly has his favourites-the final chapter, for example, focuses exclusively on Elizabeth I whereas other significant medieval figures such as Henry VI, Edward IV, the princes in the tower barely get a mention. Yet another historian enamoured with the Tudors I fear!
Welsh and Irish readers may well feel a bit sidelined as the book has a heavy emphasis on English history.
There's little in the way of insights into life beyond the royal courts, foreign invasions and battles. You might reasonably expect to read about the cultural relevance of people such as Caxton or Chaucer but there is not much outside the establishment of they day.
This is, however, a slightly unfair criticism in view of the breadth of time covered in volume 1. It is an ambitious undertaking and Schama writes extremely well. A sound knowledge of the basics of British history are assumed though the tone is never too simplistic or overly academic. Schama's enthusiasm for making history accessible is evident throughout and you cannot criticise his determination in tackling this subject.
I am certainly looking forward to reading volume 2-the shorter time frame should highlight the strengths of his writing. All in all a good, if slightly erratic, read.
Welsh and Irish readers may well feel a bit sidelined as the book has a heavy emphasis on English history.
There's little in the way of insights into life beyond the royal courts, foreign invasions and battles. You might reasonably expect to read about the cultural relevance of people such as Caxton or Chaucer but there is not much outside the establishment of they day.
This is, however, a slightly unfair criticism in view of the breadth of time covered in volume 1. It is an ambitious undertaking and Schama writes extremely well. A sound knowledge of the basics of British history are assumed though the tone is never too simplistic or overly academic. Schama's enthusiasm for making history accessible is evident throughout and you cannot criticise his determination in tackling this subject.
I am certainly looking forward to reading volume 2-the shorter time frame should highlight the strengths of his writing. All in all a good, if slightly erratic, read.
February 25, 2015
Where I got the book: audiobook on Audible.
Having listened to the first two books in Bernard Cornwell’s Anglo-Saxon series, I was all fired up to revisit some early British history. I’m a bit disappointed, though, that Schama’s history is so focused on the kings-and-queens side of history. I really wanted to hear more about the rest…culture, society, clothing, that kind of thing. But if you’re looking for a straightforward and reasonably entertaining overview that stretches from prehistory to the Tudors (there’s a second volume for the rest) this isn’t too bad a tome. Actor Timothy West narrates, and does it quite well, except he makes a mouth noise at the start of sentences that I can’t help hearing.
Having listened to the first two books in Bernard Cornwell’s Anglo-Saxon series, I was all fired up to revisit some early British history. I’m a bit disappointed, though, that Schama’s history is so focused on the kings-and-queens side of history. I really wanted to hear more about the rest…culture, society, clothing, that kind of thing. But if you’re looking for a straightforward and reasonably entertaining overview that stretches from prehistory to the Tudors (there’s a second volume for the rest) this isn’t too bad a tome. Actor Timothy West narrates, and does it quite well, except he makes a mouth noise at the start of sentences that I can’t help hearing.
January 10, 2022
First of all, it's a history of England - Scotland and Ireland are barely mentioned.
No continuity of the narration, more like a patchwork of events that the author deemed worthy to be described.
The War of Roses - mentioned in one sentence.
The One Hundred Years War - barely a paragraph.
Some kings are dwelled upon in (unnecessarily) great detail, others simply skipped, barely mentioned.
Overall - do not recommend.
No continuity of the narration, more like a patchwork of events that the author deemed worthy to be described.
The War of Roses - mentioned in one sentence.
The One Hundred Years War - barely a paragraph.
Some kings are dwelled upon in (unnecessarily) great detail, others simply skipped, barely mentioned.
Overall - do not recommend.
June 18, 2015
Too much focus on royalty for my taste. I'd have liked more about culture: art, inventions, life styles, etc. Also too much focus on England. Also the title is major false advertising; there is almost nothing about the thousands of years between 3500 BCE and the Roman invasion of England. Basically the narrative starts around 55 BCE.
August 31, 2021
rating: more 2.5 stars
I listened to this wanting to understand the events that happened before Richard II (1367 - 1400) and after Richard III (1452 – 1485). The only bit of British monarchy I kind of know are the Tudors, the rest was something for me to get a handle on later. Well, this is my later, and listening to this I’m not that much wiser, there were some interesting insights and I found it easier to follow, beforehand I had spent a little time online trying to get familiar with the royal houses of the family tree on both sides of the English Channel.
This audiobook is described as unabridged and read by Timothy West. The first third of it was spent on pre-Norman days, where there was friction between, what sounded like clans and the idea of one reigning monarch would take shape over a long period of time. It also described how Britain was conquered twice before William the Conqueror of Normandy seized control. This led onto the Plantagenets, but in comparison they were barely covered aside from the highlights I already come across elsewhere, where Henry II and Thomas Becket got mover coverage than the passing mention of King John and the Magna Carter. When it reaches the Tudors there is more detail and it slows down, ending with Elizabeth I’s reign.
Although this was interesting, this book didn’t really fit my needs. I was hoping to come away with a better awareness of the impact the power struggle (and motivations between the changing rulers over many centuries) had on the changes in society. I was also hoping it would give me a better backdrop to understand the Plantagenets, kings that include Richards and Henrys whom Shakespeare would later write about. However, I did discover that they are the descendants of William the Conqueror, with this new understanding I later wondered if the battles that happen between France and England, over many many centuries, could be construed as private family squabble over property rights? However, here, unlike other family fallouts, they had the power and resources to make wars that impact the economy and society of their own countries. I’m not sure if a thought like this would have occurred to me without listening to this book.
(side note: read dates showing when I started and finished reading this are an approximation as this was read sometime between July and August 2021)
I listened to this wanting to understand the events that happened before Richard II (1367 - 1400) and after Richard III (1452 – 1485). The only bit of British monarchy I kind of know are the Tudors, the rest was something for me to get a handle on later. Well, this is my later, and listening to this I’m not that much wiser, there were some interesting insights and I found it easier to follow, beforehand I had spent a little time online trying to get familiar with the royal houses of the family tree on both sides of the English Channel.
This audiobook is described as unabridged and read by Timothy West. The first third of it was spent on pre-Norman days, where there was friction between, what sounded like clans and the idea of one reigning monarch would take shape over a long period of time. It also described how Britain was conquered twice before William the Conqueror of Normandy seized control. This led onto the Plantagenets, but in comparison they were barely covered aside from the highlights I already come across elsewhere, where Henry II and Thomas Becket got mover coverage than the passing mention of King John and the Magna Carter. When it reaches the Tudors there is more detail and it slows down, ending with Elizabeth I’s reign.
Although this was interesting, this book didn’t really fit my needs. I was hoping to come away with a better awareness of the impact the power struggle (and motivations between the changing rulers over many centuries) had on the changes in society. I was also hoping it would give me a better backdrop to understand the Plantagenets, kings that include Richards and Henrys whom Shakespeare would later write about. However, I did discover that they are the descendants of William the Conqueror, with this new understanding I later wondered if the battles that happen between France and England, over many many centuries, could be construed as private family squabble over property rights? However, here, unlike other family fallouts, they had the power and resources to make wars that impact the economy and society of their own countries. I’m not sure if a thought like this would have occurred to me without listening to this book.
(side note: read dates showing when I started and finished reading this are an approximation as this was read sometime between July and August 2021)
January 14, 2015
I was mostly disappointed with this book. I have three main complaints:
1. There is too great a focus on the monarchy. The book is dominated by narrative on the comings and goings of the English kings and queens and other characters at court. I accept this is the best-documented aspect of medieval life, however it seems to me to be a rather old-fashioned way of looking at history. I'd like to have heard much more about societal changes, religion, and so on.
2. Despite being called a History of 'Britain', this is really a History of England. Scotland barely gets a look-in and only then because of its links to the English succession. I can't remember Wales getting much of a mention at all.
3. I wasn't keen on the style. Yes it's easy reading, but Schama peppers his narrative with what I can only describe as annoying verbal flourishes as he (unsuccessfully in my opinion) attempts to bring his characters to life. He's constantly making statements about how people were thinking or feeling that seem to be based purely on conjecture. I didn't find this helpful.
On the plus side, A History of Britain remains an accessible primer on British history (or more accurately, the history of the English monarchy), and I did find it easy-going and learnt some interesting snippets of information. It also comes into its own when it gets to the Tudor period, because of the wealth of fascinating court personalities there is to cover.
However I don't think I'll be progressing to volumes 2 and 3.
1. There is too great a focus on the monarchy. The book is dominated by narrative on the comings and goings of the English kings and queens and other characters at court. I accept this is the best-documented aspect of medieval life, however it seems to me to be a rather old-fashioned way of looking at history. I'd like to have heard much more about societal changes, religion, and so on.
2. Despite being called a History of 'Britain', this is really a History of England. Scotland barely gets a look-in and only then because of its links to the English succession. I can't remember Wales getting much of a mention at all.
3. I wasn't keen on the style. Yes it's easy reading, but Schama peppers his narrative with what I can only describe as annoying verbal flourishes as he (unsuccessfully in my opinion) attempts to bring his characters to life. He's constantly making statements about how people were thinking or feeling that seem to be based purely on conjecture. I didn't find this helpful.
On the plus side, A History of Britain remains an accessible primer on British history (or more accurately, the history of the English monarchy), and I did find it easy-going and learnt some interesting snippets of information. It also comes into its own when it gets to the Tudor period, because of the wealth of fascinating court personalities there is to cover.
However I don't think I'll be progressing to volumes 2 and 3.
January 26, 2023
This overview of our early history is full of fascinating facts presented in a very readable way (listenable for me as I 'read' the audio book, which is very nicely narrated). I knew very little about much of this period - at school we skipped from the Vikings to Henry VIII with just a nod to William the Conqueror on the way. It would be a 5* but for some reason the author skipped much of the Wars of the Roses quite dismissively in half a chapter for no good reason.
June 14, 2009
One of my (ahem!) many reference books on Great Britian. Usually I like how Schama manages to cover the history of the Isles with a bit of humor, almost an outsider's detachment and include exceptional photography. Although it's not as thorough as some histories, A History of Britain At the Edge of the World, 3500 B.C.-1603 A.D is therefore more readable than others. Still, since it does 'read like a story', it also tends to make for a poor reference book. Time after time when I've pulled it off the shelf to look something up, it's not there.
May 9, 2015
Simon Schama can certainly write history in an enjoyable and accessible way. Clearly there's a lot of time to be covered in the book resulting in some jumps but he shines a light on some periods and monarchs I knew nothing about. I was a bit disappointed that he skimmed over some events, most notably the wars of the roses while spending a lot of time on Elizabeth I. I guess that happens when something with a large scope is being written. I think I found Edward Longshanks and his descendants the most interesting part of the book. I'll be checking out other books by Shcama, that's for sure.
The narration in the audiobook is very solid - although he sometimes goes to town on the accents but that's the only issue I found.
The narration in the audiobook is very solid - although he sometimes goes to town on the accents but that's the only issue I found.
December 22, 2019
A good history of England. Scotland, Ireland and Wales are barely mentioned and only in connection with wars with England. But well written and interesting read.
I’m interested to read the next two volumes and see if a more whole view of Britain is taken and covered.
I’m interested to read the next two volumes and see if a more whole view of Britain is taken and covered.
January 7, 2020
A brutally linear and systematic history of the British isles. Very English focused but that’s to be expected, left out some seemingly important events such as Agincourt but, shines a light on the struggles of Elizabeth’ ‘body natural’ and body politic’ in a way that was engaging and exciting.
March 6, 2014
I like my history served up Schama style
December 14, 2014
Excellent history.
March 5, 2021
This is one of three books in a series, which explains the choice of a timeframe which seems quite random at first glance, 3000 BC to AD 1603.
The choice to begin at 3000 BC facilitates a little trip to neolithic Orkney, and the domestic familiarity which we would apparently find if we were able to visit Skara Brae in its heyday: houses with welcoming hearths, straw beds with cosy fur blankets, and even sewage channels.
The end point of 1603, on the other hand, serves as the point at which, with the ascension of James VI of Scotland as James I of England, the seed of Britain was finally sown.
Indeed, the author emphasises familiarity throughout the book. This isn't a complete history: some events are skipped or only mentioned in passing. More than anything, Simon Schama attempts to make the history textbook familiar to our modern lives: how would an ordinary islander have experienced momentous events like the Viking invasions, the Norman Conquest, or the Reformation? What exactly went so wrong in the great political bromances of history: Henry II and Thomas Beckett; Henry VIII and Thomases Wolsey, Cromwell, et al.? (If you learn anything, it's that where there's trouble, there's a Thomas.)
I've always wanted to fall asleep at the mention of the history of religion, but I felt I got a sense for the first time of how deeply the Church and state were entwined, and why literal wars were fought over whether people should be Protestant or Catholic, as trivial as the difference may appear now. Though when I say a sense, I mean a sense - I'm still not sure I'll ever fully understand.
It's worth mentioning that due to the obvious differences in source material, the book increases in detail as time passes - the first 3000 years are covered in 10 pages; the final century of Tudor reign in almost 150 pages. So maybe don't read this book if you have a genuine interest in those first 3000 years (lol).
The choice to begin at 3000 BC facilitates a little trip to neolithic Orkney, and the domestic familiarity which we would apparently find if we were able to visit Skara Brae in its heyday: houses with welcoming hearths, straw beds with cosy fur blankets, and even sewage channels.
The end point of 1603, on the other hand, serves as the point at which, with the ascension of James VI of Scotland as James I of England, the seed of Britain was finally sown.
Indeed, the author emphasises familiarity throughout the book. This isn't a complete history: some events are skipped or only mentioned in passing. More than anything, Simon Schama attempts to make the history textbook familiar to our modern lives: how would an ordinary islander have experienced momentous events like the Viking invasions, the Norman Conquest, or the Reformation? What exactly went so wrong in the great political bromances of history: Henry II and Thomas Beckett; Henry VIII and Thomases Wolsey, Cromwell, et al.? (If you learn anything, it's that where there's trouble, there's a Thomas.)
I've always wanted to fall asleep at the mention of the history of religion, but I felt I got a sense for the first time of how deeply the Church and state were entwined, and why literal wars were fought over whether people should be Protestant or Catholic, as trivial as the difference may appear now. Though when I say a sense, I mean a sense - I'm still not sure I'll ever fully understand.
It's worth mentioning that due to the obvious differences in source material, the book increases in detail as time passes - the first 3000 years are covered in 10 pages; the final century of Tudor reign in almost 150 pages. So maybe don't read this book if you have a genuine interest in those first 3000 years (lol).
February 13, 2025
A fantastic primer recounting the dawn of civilisation on the British Isles to its aging and maturing out of the dark ages and the medieval period into an era where English culture and language took hold on the world's stage.
The work, while only volume 1, strikes a good balance between hitting the right beats in history, and painting a wonderful picture for the atmosphere, whilst not getting too bogged down in the details. If one wanted to know about the Wars of the Roses, they will get a brief account here which might whet their appetite until they see more dedicated and closer examinations by another author and historian (I recommend Allison Weir's books for that particular subject).
It does have a couple of failings. For times where Schama is cognisant of propaganda polluting history, there are other times he seems blind to it. He recounts the probable lie that Edward II died by a red-hot poker in his anus without even raising an eyebrow to the likely crude homophobic joke that it was. It tars the rest of the writing as needing further research for verification before discussing it.
It is also very England-centric. The history of Scotland and Wales will only be told when it concerns the English, making the neighbours disappear from view until they're warring with the English. It inadvertently paints the picture of a united nation when ignoring them, as if the whole island were getting along, only for reality to come back when William Wallace or Mary Queen of Scots explodes on the scene.
Still, it is a good primer for the times and a great jumping off point to learn more. It shouldn't be considered definitive, with its limited scope, but it has prompted me to learn about a few more eras of history a little better to learn more. Will look forward to continuing this series later.
The work, while only volume 1, strikes a good balance between hitting the right beats in history, and painting a wonderful picture for the atmosphere, whilst not getting too bogged down in the details. If one wanted to know about the Wars of the Roses, they will get a brief account here which might whet their appetite until they see more dedicated and closer examinations by another author and historian (I recommend Allison Weir's books for that particular subject).
It does have a couple of failings. For times where Schama is cognisant of propaganda polluting history, there are other times he seems blind to it. He recounts the probable lie that Edward II died by a red-hot poker in his anus without even raising an eyebrow to the likely crude homophobic joke that it was. It tars the rest of the writing as needing further research for verification before discussing it.
It is also very England-centric. The history of Scotland and Wales will only be told when it concerns the English, making the neighbours disappear from view until they're warring with the English. It inadvertently paints the picture of a united nation when ignoring them, as if the whole island were getting along, only for reality to come back when William Wallace or Mary Queen of Scots explodes on the scene.
Still, it is a good primer for the times and a great jumping off point to learn more. It shouldn't be considered definitive, with its limited scope, but it has prompted me to learn about a few more eras of history a little better to learn more. Will look forward to continuing this series later.
September 8, 2024
A prince running away, assaulting an abbess, returning home to murder his brother and then promptly dying himself? Something akin to a throne-ascension Cold War in 1086? The rumors of Edward the Confessor’s epithet being part of a political scheme to make him seem more righteous? The legend of Merlin being essentially the fanfic side project of a Bishop? Gosh it’s downright Shakespearean, guys. And it’s real life! Real history! Insanity. Highly recommended if you are, perhaps, taking a class of British literature and have no idea what happened on that island before 1500. Turns out, quite a lot. It took me quite a while to get through this not because it’s poorly written or dull, but simply because covering ~5000 years of history makes for very dense chapters- overall though definitely worth the time.
July 13, 2020
The favouritism of monarchs was really really annoying it felt like half of the book was just about Lizzie and Mary Queen of scots while glancing over Henry V and the 100 year war. Maybe it was because of the more religious focus? And Scharma seems more confident with the Tudors onwards?
The part on Henry II was exemplary although new info has come to light since point of publishing.
I just wanted something to refresh me on Brit history since I haven't studied it for 3 years now, it didn't really seem up to scratch but it could be a me problem with wanting more than the average reader.
The part on Henry II was exemplary although new info has come to light since point of publishing.
I just wanted something to refresh me on Brit history since I haven't studied it for 3 years now, it didn't really seem up to scratch but it could be a me problem with wanting more than the average reader.
January 17, 2021
Has anyone ever asked if dynastic history really is the only approach the so-called trade audience is interested in reading? This History of Britain is 98% kings and queens with only a stray line dedicated to the mass of the people populating the British isles. There’s nothing wrong with the prose as such—if the royal approach is your cup of tea—but somehow I imagined that 20 years into 21st century even popular historians would recognise the limits of this kind of elite history. Overall, this doesn’t feel like a very ambitious project at all, somewhat surprisingly, from Schama.
May 14, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable and suitably flowing writing style.
"It is one of the most familiar and cherished tableaux in all English history: the golden girl beneath the oak, about to inaugurate the nation's great age. But the supporting role taken by the tree is crucial to the mythical effect. So much of English history is oaken. Ancient Britons were thought to have worshipped them; righteous outlaws are sheltered by them; kings on the run hide in them; hearts of oak go to sea and win empires. It would only be in the next century - in, for example, John Evelyn's Sylva (1664) - that ancient trees would be explicitly seen as symbols of national durability. But the Hatfield oak - knotty and gnarled, storm-struck but standing - is Elizabeth's first loyal supporter. It was, in effect, England bringing the strength and weight of its tradition to the proclamation of momentous rebirth."
"It is one of the most familiar and cherished tableaux in all English history: the golden girl beneath the oak, about to inaugurate the nation's great age. But the supporting role taken by the tree is crucial to the mythical effect. So much of English history is oaken. Ancient Britons were thought to have worshipped them; righteous outlaws are sheltered by them; kings on the run hide in them; hearts of oak go to sea and win empires. It would only be in the next century - in, for example, John Evelyn's Sylva (1664) - that ancient trees would be explicitly seen as symbols of national durability. But the Hatfield oak - knotty and gnarled, storm-struck but standing - is Elizabeth's first loyal supporter. It was, in effect, England bringing the strength and weight of its tradition to the proclamation of momentous rebirth."
October 27, 2020
This is the first of a three-volume companion set to a BBC television series, covering the earliest inhabitants of England, Roman rule, Scandinavian invasions, on up to the death of Elizabeth I. I was looking for an overview of English history (Great Britain comes later) and that is what I got. It leans heavily toward a political/royal history so I'll look for a cultural history elsewhere. Schama manages to avoid dryness, even injecting a bit of humor from time to time. I have the other two volumes in the series and look forward to expanding my awareness of British history.
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