Island Stories: An Unconventional History of Britain

(Paperback)

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Concise, elegant and lucid A very useful primer on the delusions of an English mentality Guardian

What do we get wrong about Britains history and its place in the world
In a brilliant, big-picture history, bestselling author David Reynolds moves beyond the Brexit debate to trace and reassess the defining narratives of Britains past. From fluctuating engagement with Europe to the legacies of Empire. From the Acts of Union that forged the United Kingdom to the slave trade, immigration and the special relationship. This is a vital guide to how Britains identity was really formed, and what long-held and often-damaging illusions we should be shaking off.

Reviews

Splendid a clear, wellwritten and highly stimulating account of the flaws in our understanding of Britain's past that bedevilled the great debate over the country's relations with the EU and helped produce the result it did. We could have done with it two or three years ago. But then real history, based on extensive reading, research and the wisdom of a true historian, takes a while to write. Literary Review

[A] concise, elegant and lucid revisiting of key themes in British history There is here not history but histories Reynolds provides a very useful primer on the delusions of an English mentality. Guardian

Incisive Reynolds provides a useful summary of the scholarship that has examined the relationship between the four nations in the British Isles Reynolds is at his best when the narrative of Europe as antagonist is concerned On the basis of Reynolds compelling account, Britains future outside the EU ought to begin with an honest assessment of its past. Financial Times

History is essential to political awareness, and the Brexit debate was certainly shaped by historical narratives. Reynolds subjects these narratives to brisk, witty and often acerbic appraisal His commentary on how these stories have shaped postwar British politics is compelling. TLS

Lively, slender and timely Foreign Affairs

Author Bio

David Reynolds is the award-winning and bestselling author of twelve history books and Professor of International History at Cambridge University (Christ's College). He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2005. His book awards include the Wolfson Prize and the PEN Hessell Tiltman prize. David has written and presented critically acclaimed films and documentaries for both BBC TV and Radio 4.