The Isles: A History

This is a good book, with some sparkling passages of beautiful prose. I have read almost all of Davies's books and they all follow a similar pattern. He splits each chapter into three parts: the first is a microscopic look at one moment in history (James I on hearing he has been made King of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, for example). Then he turns to a more narrative history. Both these sections worked well in every case. His third type of section is a look at how writers or historians have written about the period, how ideas about it have evolved - a kind of meta-history. Personally I found these sections uninteresting, which is why I have given the book just 4 stars. Nevertheless, there is enough compellingly written history to make the book worthwhile.

I have yet to finish the book but am nearly there. It is not the detailed history of these Isles I hoped to see but I admit that would be stretching the abilities of a little over ONE thousand pages. However, there is so much argument to support a theme that the historical content suffers and with my non-historian depth of knowledge it seems to overlookthings I have a vague recollection of reading about that would 'get in the way' of some of his arguments. Nevertheless, this is a very interesting and thought provoking book that makes me want to go out and research further - but is this because it stimulates me or that I can't really accept his arguments. Whichever, it doesn't matter because it has made me think and I like that in my reading.

Norman Davies is not exactly the most loved establishment historian though the Poles adore him and heap him with honours. His story of the Islands f the Mighty holds far too many home truths for English people and the lovers of "Kings'n'Queens" record keeping.It is far from dry, dusty academia as it is possible to get and far better intellects than mine pile praise on his storytelling ability. That he gets across so much detail is the wonder. If you wanted to use this as a reference book the Notes, Appendices, genealogies and maps are worth the price of the book alone.When I picked up the thousand pages my first thoughts were that I had bitten off far more than I could chew. It ended up with me reading deep into the night time after time. I shall read this again... and again.

Great survey which provides everything you'd need to get an avenue into a specific part of British and Irish history. Historiography/Literature parts at the end of each chapter are valuable for the student, although I can imagine skipping over chunks had I been a casual reader.Gives equal treatment to every nation in the Isles which really brings parts of Welsh and Scottish history which are too often forgotten to the fore. Totally worth it.Length a bit of an issue! Found Davies' to give his image of the future very interesting, and, with hindsight, he's been correct.

Eventually I gave up around the time of William of Orange ( or possibly Guillaune d'Orange ) and took up Volume 3 of Winston Churchill's own history of the English speaking people. Others have mentioned the habit of Mr Davies of using any name except that known to the English (!) to refer to people and places relevant to British history - I did find this a tad confusing, and wondered just who King Jean was until he popped up at Runnymede signing a bit of paper ( a piece of paper of no REAL significance in the formation of the true Englishman......or so Mr Davies seems to have it ) Sorry, it all became just a little bit wearisome, especially when the actual attempt at writing history turned half way through the book into some sort of analysis of various other history writers - all classed according to the idiosyncrasies of Mr Davies.Three stars. Of course. Good if you like that sort of thing.

I've had this book in paperback for quite a few years and keep dipping back into it.It's always a pleasure to enjoy Norman Davies's broad view of our history.It's accessible and fun. But the sheer bulk of the book is off putting.So I decided to buy the Kindle version and for the first time I prefer an ebook over paper.The ability to have bookmarks, to instantly get dictionary definitions and to read on a relatively light iPad is well worth the modest cost.I recommend it highly.

This book was preowned but described as being in good condition. I ordered it for my brother who was very pleased to receive the book but he told me the condition was not great. There was a price of £2.00 in pencil on the inner cover but I paid over ten times this amount. My brother was pleased to receive the book as he was researching the subject matter in the book and he rates the author.

The book - paperback and quite thick - was in good condition. However this was a bit of a miracle as the flimsy grey plastic sleeve used as packaging was torn open so that the book was falling out. If there was any paperwork inside it, it was gone. Would have given 5 stars but for this.