The Crown and Country

From one of our finest historians comes an outstanding 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 Britain's longest surviving institutions -- as well as one of its most tumultuous and revered. In this masterful book, David Starkey looks at the monarchy as a whole, charting its history from Roman times, to the Wars of the Roses, the chaos of the Civil War, the fall of Charles I and Cromwell's emergence as Lord Protector -- all the way up until the Victorian era when Britain's monarchs came face-to-face with modernity. This brilliant collection of biographies of Britain's kings and queens provides an in-depth examination of what the British monarchy has meant, what it means now and what it will continue to mean. Bringing to life a cast of colourful characters, Starkey's trademark energy and authority make him the perfect guide on this epic, accessible and compelling journey, as he offers us a vivid portrait of British culture, politics and nationhood through an institution that has defined the realm for nearly two thousand years.

ISBN 0007307705   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9780007307708 (What's this?)   Pages 488 Publisher HarperCollins Publishers   Weight (grammes) 921 Imprint HarperPress   Published in London Format Hardback   Height (mm) 240 Publication date 30 Sep 2010   Width (mm) 159 DEWEY 941.0099   Academic level General

'Eminently readable!Starkey is particularly good at explaining the shifting tone of monarchical power!"Crown and Country" is a masterpiece of accessible history, underscored with profound scholarship!the author's passion for his subject, the royal tale of England, which is the backbone of this nation's story explodes from every page. I defy anybody not to enjoy this book.' Guardian 'Entertaining!Starkey writes with the snappy zest of an unrepentant telly-don!he has a lovely eye for a good story!he also has a nice line in snarky humour!Starkey's 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 'Excellent!the really crucial events in the history of the British Monarchy!are assessed with authority, wisdom and wit!This is Starkey at his fluent and entertaining best.' Sunday Telegraph 'This book!is vivid, lucid and engaging!his judgements delivered with quasi-Pontifical assurance are often acute!a 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 hand!Starkey's book will undoubtedly make him and his publishers a tidy profit.' Spectator

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