Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
England's fateful geographical adjacency to Europe drives a millennia-long love-hate relationship in this sparkling history. Stanford historian Morris (Why the West Rules--For Now) surveys the many migrations of people across the Channel and into Britain, from prehistoric (and possibly incestuous) megalith builders, to Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman invaders, to present-day Polish plumbers. These influxes have shaped the identity of Britons, bringing new religions, languages, political allegiances, and ethnic restaurants, he notes, as has the countervailing struggle to block incursions by Spanish armadas, French monarchs, and fascist dictators. Morris deftly teases out long arcs--ancient Britons were as ambivalent about the Roman Empire, he argues, as modern ones are about the European Union--and probes archaeological and genealogical evidence, data on economic development, and the literature of manners and morals to illuminate slow, profound changes in the lives of ordinary people. He relates the pageant in breezy, colorful prose, dubbing King Arthur "perhaps the greatest Briton who never lived" and describing the Glorious Revolution of 1688 as a "series of shady back-room deals." Written with verve and wit, this compulsively readable overview of British history is full of fascinating lore and incisive analysis. Photos. Agent: Sandra Dijkstra, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Morris (War! What Is It Good For?) reminds readers that Brexit was not the first divide of its kind in Britain's long history. Covering prehistory through the future date of 2103, Morris explores Britain's place in world history. When Britain began, it was hard to get to and hard to settle on. When it entered the world stage, it was "Europe's poor cousin." From there, it seemed the only way to go was up. But the climb was not easy. Morris cleverly uses three maps to guide this history, using geography to explain what led to the country's dramatic rise and potentially plateau. Leaders turn towards the other side of the Atlantic started an imperial journey that has waned in modern times. Other world powers have found their place, often knocking Britain out of its once prime spot. Brexit is just the latest in a list of conflicts Britain has faced in its "big history." VERDICT Morris provides a very comprehensive history of Britain while keeping readers engaged. It is a skill to cover such a vast timeline and still keep a reader wanting more. A satisfying read for both readers new to British history those looking for a new take.--Rebecca Kluberdanz Honsinger
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Why is Britain so different from its neighbors? This book delivers some answers and raises new questions. Morris, a professor of history and classics at Stanford and author of Why the West Rules--for Now, believes that if we are to understand the present, especially the reasons for and consequences of the Brexit referendum, we have to dig into the deep past. Consequently, he begins the story of Britain when rising sea levels separated the islands from the continent, and then he walks readers through the long parade of invasions--Romans, Vikings, Normans, etc.--that would slowly create the British people. The British identity developed alongside an instinctive distrust of mainland Europeans, and Morris finds many historical precedents for the Brexit vote, from the rejection of the Catholic Church to the seemingly endless global expansion of the British Empire. In this sense, the oddity is not that Britain left the European Union but that it joined it in the first place--although, at the time, it was more of a customs union than a vehicle for social homogeneity. The final vote was close, but the result was clear, and culture prevailed over economics. Morris, who is the sort of historian who likes to get out of the office, vividly chronicles his tours around Britain to assess the situation and discovers that, generally, the country is doing all right. There has not been the catastrophe expected by the Remainers or the boom predicted by the Leavers. In typical fashion, Britain has muddled its way to a decent outcome. As for the future, Morris muses that Europe may become an irrelevant question for Britain, as the key issue is dealing with a rising China, which is determined to establish a dominant presence in every corner of the world. Even tourist souvenirs from the author's hometown are "Made in China." In this immensely detailed book, Morris effectively combines history, memoir, and current events. A remarkable story told with clear-minded authority. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
