Britain Discovered

Each of twelve chapters describes the people and unique features of twelve areas of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

First published in 1964, this book examines the Tour of Britain. It focuses, neither on foreign tourists coming to Britain, nor on British tourists travelling abroad, but on British people exploring their native land in the three centuries from 1540 to 1840. During this period, it became a popular pastime amongst gentlemen of leisure to travel for weeks, even months, in discovery of their own country and this book describes both the pleasure taken by tourists of Britain and the hardships they endured. Tracking these journeys over three centuries, the book presents a changing English landscape, a changing economy, and a change in people’s tastes as the interests and concerns of the tourists evolve over the timeframe covered.

The Discovery of Islands consists of a series of linked essays in British history, written by one of the world's leading historians of political thought and published over the past three decades. Its purpose is to present British history as that of several nations interacting with - and sometimes seceding from - an imperial state. The commentary presents this history as that of an archipelago, expanding across oceans to the Antipodes. Both New Zealand history and the author's New Zealand heritage inform this vision, presenting British history as oceanic and global, complementing (and occasionally criticising) the presentation of that history as European. Professor Pocock's interpretation of British history has been hugely influential in recent years, making The Discovery of Islands a resource of immense value for historians of Britain and the world.

From ancient bloody battles and colonial conquests to the Industrial Revolution and Beatlemania, this visual guide leads you through major moments in British and Irish history. Discover the pivotal political, military, and cultural events that shaped British and Irish history, from the Stone Age to the present day. Combining over 700 photographs, maps, and illustrations with accessible text, History of Britain and Ireland is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to learn more about the British Isles. Spanning six distinct periods of English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish history, the book tells you how Britain transformed with Norman rule, fought two World Wars in the 20th century, and finally came to terms with a new status in a fast-changing economy. This comprehensive volume places key figures – from Alfred the Great to Winston Churchill – and major events – from Caesar's invasion to the Battle of the Somme – in their wider context. This makes it easier than ever before to learn how certain charismatic leaders, political factions, and specific events influenced Britain and Ireland's development through the Age of Empires and into the modern era. Beautifully illustrated, History of Britain and Ireland is sure to delight history buffs of all ages.