The Age of Reform, 1815–1870

Oxford History of England #13

by Llewellyn Woodward

A general survey of the achievements - and failures - of the English people over half a century between the victory of Waterloo and the first administration of Gladstone.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Victorian

702 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

A specialist in modern British and European international history, Sir (Ernest) Llewellyn Woodward was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. After the First World War, Woodward became a Lecturer in Modern History and fellow of All Souls College from 1919-1944 and a Fellow at New College from 1922-1939. Later he was Montague Burton Professor of International Relations (1944 - 1947) and then Professor of Modern History at Oxford.

Reviews

[Joshua Curtiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly readable tome. It did not feel like a dry, dusty novel written by an Oxford professor on his sabbatical (which it was), it felt like a conventional, modern volume written by an engaging author for an audience of relatively uneducated people. The topic is very interesting, which goes in Woodward's favor, but this book's writing quality is stellar. He blends words so well. The novel is also well-organized into books, sections, and chapters--making it all the more readable for a 21st-century person.

Beginning with the topic: The Age of Reform in England is a very interesting period during this country's history, and Woodward brings out both the best and the worst of the times fairly well (more on his bias below). So many things were happening during this time, and Llewellyn manages to combine it all into 600 pages jam-packed with information. This is not as massive of a book as you would expect given the topic material.

I already discussed the writing quality above, but to add a little more: this is just so readable. It feels like it was written by someone modern with professional training. But no, it was written by someone whose contemporaries were dry as dust. I will certainly be reading more novels by this man in the future.

The reason this book is 3 stars is partly because of the author's bias, and partly because of how though this book is very good compared to historical volumes of 100 years ago, it still doesn't measure up to today's standards. Beginning with Woodward's bias: he is obviously an Anglophile, as he is an English person. I would like to read a history of this period written by a Frenchman and see how the facts are twisted in different ways and how the lens that the book is written through would change. He did nothing to disguise his Anglophilia, and though he does disparage English society in some places, he doesn't seem to be even in his analysis of the times and decisions. And this book is SO GOOD compared to other books of its time--no other books compares--but compared to books of today, it just isn't that great. It's mediocre by today's standards, and that hurts it. In its favor, it was written one hundred years ago--but it is being reviewed in the 21st century, and the standards are different.

Overall, I would recommend this book to any history buff, Anglophile, or anyone interested in English society or history. It really is a worthwhile read for anyone who wants to take the time (I spent 6 months reading it). Woodward deserves this book to be read over and over again. It is quality. Read it.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a very serviceable overview of one of the most dramatic periods in British history. Perhaps the word “change” might also have been included somewhere in the title. Mostly covers domestic political and foreign affairs, social, economic and cultural history.

Surely only a matter of time before someone calls for the reintroduction of a property qualification in order to vote.