In Search of British Heroes - Audio

by Tony Robinson

This is the story of five legends of British history-Boudicca, Robin Hood, Macbeth, King Harold and William Wallace. All five of them can be said, by their lives and deaths, to have changed Britain forever. Not because they were hugely successful, in fact, all but one died a failure, but because, even in their lifetimes, they were seen as symbolising something greater than themselves. This is the stuff of which true legends are made. The five stories cover 1200 years of history and the length and breadth of Britain.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Audio Cassette

First published September 5, 2003

About the author

Sir Tony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, amateur historian, TV presenter, author and political activist. He is known for playing "Baldrick" in the BBC television series Blackadder and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book by Tony Robinson (aka Baldrick) searching for 5 British heroes.

Well researched and well written, with instructions on how to get to the various places. Even if they are bus stations these days.

Recommended.

[Tolkien InMySleep · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know there really was a Scots King called MacBeth until I read this book; he's been ill-used by Shakespeare, that much is clear. However, the principal lesson I learned from this book is this - it is never a good idea to bare your bottom at the King of England!

[Hilde Helseth]

'35. A book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks,graphic novels)'

[Gemma Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well thought out summary of 5 British heroes, who together form part of the national fabric of England and Scotland.
Inspires to find out more about the charismatic individuals.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never heard of this book before I picked it up from our mobile library but I'm glad I did. It's a bloody good read! When I saw Tony Robinson's name on the cover, I thought, 'oh no, another book ghost written on the back of a celebrity', but I couldn't have been more wrong. You know for sure that Robinson wrote this himself, because the infectious, enthused personality he bears in the likes of TIME TEAM is present in his prose as well as his presentation.

The book is quite simple: it aims to reveal the truth behind five figures invariably linked with British history. It ticks off with Boudica, a character I knew nothing about, and tells a very violent, fiery story about her battle against the Romans. Then we move onto Macbeth, who I knew was a real-life figure long before Shakespeare made him famous, and the real story of this character is utterly enthralling.

The story of Harold II doesn't really throw up many surprises, but the devil's in the detail and there's plenty of it - including the king's death, which was far more gruesome than taught in schools. Next up is William Wallace, whose political career is actually more like the film BRAVEHEART than I suspected. The book ends with a look at the various versions and legends of the Robin Hood story, and along with the segment on Boudica, this is the best in the book, thoroughly interesting.

The book is designed to give enthusiasts a chance to visit terrain themselves, so every page is chock-full of maps and directions. Knowing full well myself that you only get half of history from a book and the rest from visiting the actual locations, I'd thoroughly recommend this approach. Plus there are plenty of photographs that help break up the text.

One of the most easily accessible history books I've ever had the pleasure to read, this brings the subject to life in a fun, entertaining way and I'm definitely going to buy my own copy at some point. Sheer brilliance!

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Here we have five personalities from history.

Boudicca - from the the Celt word meaning Victorious, so Boudicca was the first Queen Victoria - who knew. The revolt was AD 60/61. Boudicca's remains have long been believed to lie somewhere deep under platforms 9 and 10 of King's Cross Station however Robinson disputes this and we all know Robinson Rocks!

Lady Macbeth
Harold
Wallace
Robin Hood

[Jessica Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that Tony Robinson is slowly taking over my life. Either that or my husband has a massive obsession.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable review of the lives and careers of five British heroes delivered in fine Tony Robinson style.