Books Reviews

The History of Britain and Ireland (The Definitive Visual Guide) – Book Review

By Angela Youngman Dec 12, 2011, 16:06 GMT

From the Roman conquest of 43 CE to the Norman conquest of 1066 and from the Elizabethan age of Shakespeare to the Iraq and Afghan wars of the 21st century, DK\'s History of Britain and Ireland traces the key events that shaped the societies living in the British Isles from the earliest times to the present day. History of Britain and Ireland is the definitive visual guide to 5,000 years ...more

Extremely visual and packed with lots of interesting information; this is a snapshot across over 2,000 years of British and Irish history.  It is full of unexpected snippets of information which are not taught in schools - what was the war of Jenkins Ear? Why did the British royal family change their name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor?  What was railway mania? 

From the first pre-historic settlements to the oil crisis of the 21st century; this book brings to life key events, turning points and the people who shaped the history of these two islands.  There are useful timelines which help put each period into perspective; and topic boxes on prominent people, discoveries and ideas.

Personalities covered include the likes of Alfred the Great, Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, Dickens, Shakespeare and Winston Churchill.  The illustrations are a key feature of this book, helping to bring historical periods vividly to life. A good, solid reference book that will be enjoyed by anyone who wants to know more about the history of Britain and Ireland.