Crown and Country: A History of England through the Monarchy

(Paperback)

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An exploration of the British monarchy from the retreat of the Romans up until the modern day. This compendium volume of two earlier books is fully revised and updated.
The monarchy is one of Britains most revered institutions but also one of its most tumultuous. In Crown and Country, David Starkey charts its rollercoaster history from earliest times to the present; from the courtly love of the Middle Ages, through the turbulent reign of the Tudors, to the chaos of the Civil War.

Starkey brings this tempestuous story up to date in this complete history, guiding us through the Abdication Crisis to the dissolution of the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. He draws upon rank and romance in light of the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William and brings to life a cast of colourful characters and some riveting stories. Crown and Country is both a brilliant overview of the monarchy and a vividly iconoclastic portrait of British culture, politics and nationhood.

Reviews

Eminently readableStarkey is particularly good at explaining the shifting tone of monarchical powerCrown and Country is a masterpiece of accessible history, underscored with profound scholarshipthe authors passion for his subject, the royal tale of England, which is the backbone of this nations story explodes from every page. I defy anybody not to enjoy this book. Guardian

EntertainingStarkey writes with the snappy zest of an unrepentant telly-donhe has a lovely eye for a good storyhe also has a nice line in snarky humourStarkeys great skill is to weave big themes quietly into a rollicking narrative so that you absorb them almost without noticing they are there. Daily Telegraph

Excellentthe really crucial events in the history of the British Monarchyare assessed with authority, wisdom and witThis is Starkey at his fluent and entertaining best. Sunday Telegraph

This bookis vivid, lucid and engaginghis judgements delivered with quasi-Pontifical assurance are often acutea very enjoyable book. Daily Telegraph

David Starkey tours England's monarchical horizon with gusto. Sunday Times

Starkey brings the past to vivid life. Daily Express

Combines compelling narrative and lucid analysis to guide us with a sure handStarkeys book will undoubtedly make him and his publishers a tidy profit. Spectator

Author Bio

David Starkey is an Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and the author of Elizabeth, Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII and Henry: Virtuous Prince. He is a winner of the Norton Medlicott Medal for Services to History, and of the WH Smith Prize. He is well-known for his historical television series focusing on the Tudors, monarchy and Britain, and for his radio appearances.