Hi all,
Does anyone on here have a suggestion for a book that I want, but that I'm not sure even exists. Basically, one where the author/historian covers all eras and time periods, preferably in chronological order but, as long as all (or the majority) are covered, it's fine by me.
Obviously as it'd cover a lot of different periods, it won't be the most in-depth historical read, but, again, I'd prefer if it was more than just a basic summary that you'd find in a kids book. Just a chapter on each era (or maybe it's in a series of books).
Thanks.
Try Kenneth Morgan's Oxford History of Britain. It's not the greatest, but it does provide a useful survey in a single book, and it's available in paperback.
It's not a single book, but it's a relatively short series: Peter Ackroyd's History of England series is of a good quality. It's not up to academic standards, as he a) doesn't cite sources in-line and b) gives undue weight to theories, often stating them as fact, but it's well-written, accessible, and meets a good balance between overview vs. depth. As it's multi-book, it's more than a sweeping overview, but nor does it get bogged down in detail. It's the right level of detail for an interested layman wanting a first review of English history.
Be aware, however, that he has a certain thesis that he's pushing, which is an emphasis on the notion of social and institutional continuity throughout English history.
There are currently three volumes. Volume 1 is "Foundation", covering everything up to the Tudors, which is Volume 2. Volume 3 is the Stuarts and civil war. There are three more volumes planned.