So it looks like someone found an old, out of print book and scanned it, then reprinted it. This has led to it having US spellings, which is really quite annoying as an English person reading a book about English history, but I can't begin to say how amazing it is that they've reprinted this book, so American spelling totally forgiven!!
What I like:
The book talks to children like a friendly old grandpa who likes telling stories. He finds interesting little titbits about various kings and queens, and turns them into a book of historic fairy tales (disclaimer, I like history, so please don't expect usborne little red riding hood), but my 6 year old happily listens to it while playing minecraft.
What I really like is that the author comes across as a generous, kindhearted and open-minded grandpa, who just happens to have very firm beliefs in the wonder of England and the Catholic church (and really who can blame him?!) For example he finds positive things in earlier religions. Eg about the pre-roman pagan Britons it says
"These temples ...prove that the Druids must have had a good deal of knowledge and education. They taught 3 things, which it is very curious they should have known; 1st, obedience to the laws of God. 2nd, care for the good of others. 3rd, fortitude under the trials of life".
In a similar way it introduces kids to Saxon gods, seeing their "natural sense of religion" and "love of justice". It briefly covers St Augustine, King Arthur, Hengist and Horsa, Bede, St Alban, the Pelagian heresy (which I had never heard about and is only very briefly touched upon).
It's interesting because it describes Mary Tudor, known in England as "Bloody Mary", as "Mary the Good". So it's a good counterbalance to the usual English history that is taught. It doesn't cover the 300 (very round number) of protestants she burned in a very short amount of time, but I guess that's a conversation you can have or not, according to how you feel.
I am aware that it is from a very, very English point of view, which as an English person doesn't bother me too much, but it does say that we prefer to call the whole of our island England, which is kind of annoying as it's just factually incorrect. But the French call Britain England, so who knows, maybe 200 years ago so did we.
I absolutely love it and can't recommend it enough. If you're French, Scottish or Irish though, you may find the absolute certainty of England a little galling, but put that to one side and you'll love it too.
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Neil
Concise book of English history
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2023
Neil
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2023
What I like:
The book talks to children like a friendly old grandpa who likes telling stories. He finds interesting little titbits about various kings and queens, and turns them into a book of historic fairy tales (disclaimer, I like history, so please don't expect usborne little red riding hood), but my 6 year old happily listens to it while playing minecraft.
What I really like is that the author comes across as a generous, kindhearted and open-minded grandpa, who just happens to have very firm beliefs in the wonder of England and the Catholic church (and really who can blame him?!) For example he finds positive things in earlier religions. Eg about the pre-roman pagan Britons it says
"These temples ...prove that the Druids must have had a good deal of knowledge and education. They taught 3 things, which it is very curious they should have known; 1st, obedience to the laws of God. 2nd, care for the good of others. 3rd, fortitude under the trials of life".
In a similar way it introduces kids to Saxon gods, seeing their "natural sense of religion" and "love of justice". It briefly covers St Augustine, King Arthur, Hengist and Horsa, Bede, St Alban, the Pelagian heresy (which I had never heard about and is only very briefly touched upon).
It's interesting because it describes Mary Tudor, known in England as "Bloody Mary", as "Mary the Good". So it's a good counterbalance to the usual English history that is taught. It doesn't cover the 300 (very round number) of protestants she burned in a very short amount of time, but I guess that's a conversation you can have or not, according to how you feel.
I am aware that it is from a very, very English point of view, which as an English person doesn't bother me too much, but it does say that we prefer to call the whole of our island England, which is kind of annoying as it's just factually incorrect. But the French call Britain England, so who knows, maybe 200 years ago so did we.
I absolutely love it and can't recommend it enough. If you're French, Scottish or Irish though, you may find the absolute certainty of England a little galling, but put that to one side and you'll love it too.
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