Good narrator and content

Pretty good detail without dragging it out too much, and a good narrator. Slightly monotonous after a while but I suppose that’s to be expected when we’ve had so many kings & queens over the years! Recommended.

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Fantastic

I have been wanting a general overview of British history for some time now and this book sums it up very well.

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Mildly entertaining but

I gave up when all the Romano and Dark Age history seemed to be just closed over pop history without any actual evidence based conclusions.

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Brilliantly Irreverent

Exactly what it says on the tin, but very informative and insightful into the fallacy that is Great Britain, the conceit that was the British empire and quite possibly, the ‘own goal’ that is Brexit.

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An interesting look back. Suitable for non History buffs

I don’t like History, it was one of my least favourite subjects at school. I’m older now and more interested and tolerant of what happened around me and before me, to shape the country of my birth, so this is a good book to play catch-up with.

I’m enjoying it thus far. I may even be learning things as well! I have yet to finish it. I’m taking a break.

Too much history can’t be good for me! 😉 But I’ll be back, because it’s rather intriguing.

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1 person found this helpful

Mediocre history.

The history itself is a bit all over the shop. Jumping back and forth sometimes and sometimes a bit inaccurate. Also manages to somehow give a biased opinion while appearing to not, particularly when it comes to recent history.

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Interesting

Interesting listen… I didn’t much of anything about the British monarchy cept for what we know now and a few of the popular names so it was good it listen to a few stories which has encouraged me to search for mire

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Sometimes funny, always informative.

This is an easy listen, made easier by the occasional humour.
It does what it says on the cover, highly recommend.

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HALF OF IT DEBATABLE.

A big chunk of this book is just the repeat of the agreed upon version of the past.
Napoleon said: What is history but a fable agreed upon.
Here are some of the debatable parts of this book.

Henry VII had as much reason to kill the Princesses as had Richard III. As winners write the history books, Henry VII made sure it was Richard III who was branded as the murderer.
Mary was no more bloody than Elisabeth I . Mary killed protestants, Elisabeth catholics in equal numbers. Again, winners write history, Elisabeth's evil deeds were toned down, Mary's amplified. The Armada was defeated by atrocious weather and weakness from disease and NOT by Elisabeth I , but it was good for propaganda.
The only reason the Royal Families stayed in the country during both wars was to continue the monarchy. They would had NOT been accepted back if they leave when there is crisis. I very much doubt that they were rationed as the rest . Probably tucked away safely and well cared for.
The English language became important not because of Great Britain but because of the USA.
Monarchy is just a perpetuating snobbery and an unjustified expense on tax payers.
My belief is: if they wish to play Kings and Queens then they should pay for it themselves. They have stolen enough money from the coffer done the centuries to afford that.

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1 person found this helpful

I’ve listened to it twice

Enjoyable and informative. Easy listening and entertaining which is how I’ve ended up listening twice. The irreverence makes it feel much more honest and interesting than many equivalent histories.

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