10 Best Books About British History

Although the past remains securely in place, great scholars continue to return to unearth old territory, meticulously analyze it from all aspects, and gently prod it with a stick. As a result, if you are searching to buy second hand books uk that have been written in recent years, ranging from Mary Beard's vibrant, fresh look at Ancient Rome to Andrew Roberts' massively stunning new study of a certain Monsieur Bonaparte. We've mentioned a list of some of the best books about british history for anyone with a hunger for information.

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1. The English and Their History by Robert Tombs

It may seem strange to call this a condensed history of England, given its length of almost a thousand pages, yet that is exactly what it is. There's not a pound of fat on it as Tombs embarks on an epic journey through the years to discover what it means to be English.

2. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

From its early days as a rather benign little village to its fire-breathing pinnacle as one of history's most legendary superpowers, the dynamic historian breathes new life into Ancient Rome. This is a gratifying game that covers 1000 years of civilization in a flash.

3. Headstrong - 52 Women Who Changed Science and the World by Rachel Swaby

Marie Curie is well-known, but scores of other notable scientific pioneers may have gone unnoticed throughout the years. Rachel Swaby, a freelance journalist, presents a condensed history of 52 exceptional women, including Ada Lovelace, the brilliant mathematician, and Rosalind Franklin, the DNA research genius.

4. Beautiful Idiots and Brilliant Lunatics by Rob Baker

Another Nickel in the Machine, Rob Baker's fantastic London history website, has a variety of unusual, intelligent, and entertaining anecdotes. From the socialites to the criminals, the book celebrates the history and culture of the city in the twentieth century. All of the stories are told with zeal and enthusiasm.

5. The Sea and Civilisation: A Maritime History of the World by Lincoln Paine

This book takes you back to the pre-Columbus voyage and then far beyond it, telling the narrative of the planet through man's relationship with the water. It examines the role of sailing in globalization and how the oceans are utilized to disseminate civilizations, languages, religions, and people.

6. Stalin's Englishman by Andrew Lownie

This account of Guy Burgess, the "Cambridge Spy" who transmitted intelligence to Soviet Russia in the 1930s, is not only a well-researched biography but also an in-depth cultural study and a genuine, knuckle-gnawing spy thriller. But, unfortunately, his ratio of drunken philandering to espionage reminds me of a certain 007.

7. Men at War: What Fiction Tells us About Conflict, From The Iliad to Catch-22 by Christopher Coker

Professor Coker of the London School of Economics has compiled a study of war myths and fiction, examining the archetypes depicted and what they might teach us. The victims, heroes, warriors, survivors, and villains from classic works like Tolstoy, Homer, Shakespeare, and Vonnegut.

8. Magna Carta by David Starkey

The popular historian created a TV show with the same name, which has effectively been turned into this snappy, quick read about the political events that altered the course of history in 1215. The question is whether they were as successful as everyone claims.

9. Night Walking by Matthew Beaumont

This substantial academic collection examines what happens when the lights go off and the dispossessed take to the streets (mostly in London). From Chaucer to Shakespeare to the uncontested king of late-night wanderings, Charles Dickens, this collection takes you on dark – but enlightening – adventures.

10. Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts

While many would find it difficult to call a man responsible for millions of deaths "great," it's difficult to argue with historian Andrew Roberts' enthralling and frequently inspiring suggestion. Napoleon over-achieved as a strategic genius who wanted to conquer the world, an emperor in his 30s, and a writer of acceptable love letters.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a fast-paced page-turner, try Stalin's Englishman. Beautiful Idiots and Brilliant Lunatics and 52 Women are ideal for dipping in and out if you're looking for something quick to read. However, if you're looking for something more substantial and full of historical detail, get off the bus and read Robert Tombs' The English and Their History, which loads a lot of information into almost every phrase while being graceful and incredibly accessible.