A History of the British Isles: Prehistory to the Present

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CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2017 A History of the British Isles is a balanced and integrated political, social, cultural and religious history of the British Isles in all its complexity, exploring the constantly evolving dialogue and relationship between the past and the present. A wide range of topics and questions are addressed for each period and territory discussed, including Englands Wars of the Roses of the 15th century and their influence on court politics during the 16th century; Irelands Rebellion of 1798, the Potato Famine of the 1840s and the Easter Rising of 1916; the two World Wars and the Great Depression; British cultural and social change during the 1960s; and the history and future of the British Isles in the present day. Kenneth Campbell integrates the histories of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales by exploring common themes and drawing on comparative examples, while also demonstrating how those histories are different, making this a genuinely integrated text. Campbells approach allows readers to appreciate the history of the British Isles not just for its own sake, but for the purposes of understanding our current political divisions, our world and ourselves.

Reviews

This is a bold book in its chronological range and synoptic vision. Kenneth Campbell has an outsiders penetrating eye in exploring, century on century, the complex ways in which Britain and Ireland have evolved. There could be no better time than the present to study this guide to their past. * Keith Robbins, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Wales-Lampeter, UK *
Kenneth Campbell's A History of the British Isles: Prehistory to Present draws upon the latest scholarship to provide a lively narrative that embeds political developments in a rich cultural and social context. Its accessible prose and comprehensive scope will make it valuable as a text for both introductory and more advanced surveys of British history. * Gail Savage, Professor of History, St. Mary's College of Maryland, USA *
In this compelling survey of the British Isles from prehistory to the present, Kenneth Campbell skillfully blends narrative and analysis in a satisfying synthesis. His scholarship is fresh and up to date, his conclusions are judicious and his writing is crystal clear. The book will serve as an invaluable introduction for undergraduates, a useful aid for teachers and an engaging text for general readers. * Brian Lewis, Professor of History, McGill University, Canada *
It is ironic that good, recent, comprehensive histories of Britain are so hard to find, when the minutiae of British history have provided topics for thousands of publications over the past 20 years. Campbell (Monmouth Univ.) addresses this scarcity splendidly in his clear and lively text, incorporating traditional and recent scholarship with a deft hand that avoids the burden of dry prose. In one section, the author explains that the geographic mobility traditionally considered one of the consequences of the 14th-century Black Death actually had begun before the outbreak of the epidemic, as had political discontent among the population, also traditionally attributed to the plagues aftermath. He points out that the psychological effects of the plague had a significant impact on the interdependence of survivors. Instead of loosening the bonds of community, the experience of the Black Death strengthened connections, even where people moved to other places, creating what Campbell refers to as networks of village relationships. In essence, the Black Death only hastened changes that would have occurred eventually. Excellent. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries. * CHOICE *

Author Bio

Kenneth L. Campbell is Professor of History at Monmouth University, USA. He is the author of Irelands History: From Prehistory to the Present (2013) and Western Civilization: A Global and Comparative Approach, Volumes I & II (2012).