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A History of Modern Britain | 
 enlarge | Author: Andrew Marr
Publisher: Pan Books
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £3.55
You Save: £5.44 (61%)
New (32) Used (3) Collectible (1) from £2.19
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 44
Media: Paperback
Pages: 629
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.8
ISBN: 0330439839
EAN: 9780330439831
ASIN: 0330439839
Publication Date: May 2, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Solid, popularist history May 26, 2007
R. B. Moore (Leeds, UK)
196 out of 214 found this review helpful
This is easy to read, general history for the average person in the street like me who has a broad interest in the life of the country but who hasn't got the background to read the "proper" histories. I love this because I can dip in and out, or I can read it in linear chunks. I love the style which is chatty and friendly. And the period interests me because it is really before I was around, so I see the echoes of it but never experienced these things for myself. A lot changed in Britain post war, and I didn't really appreciated how much until I read this.
I can't really comment on the absolute accuracy, and I'm sure it isn't definitive, but it is approachable. It's like a Bryson book of science rather than a Hawking, but with history.
It's quite bit and heavy in hardbook though, but if that is my principle complaint then take this as an unqualified recommendation!
A fascinating and enjoyable read of our times. June 14, 2007
Twazzer (Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire)
93 out of 105 found this review helpful
Quite clearly, Andrew Marr's television series - A History of Modern Britain, is a triumph and makes for entertaining viewing. The book which accompanies the series does the programmes justice. Readers should not be put off by its bulk as the book is compulsive and offers a very accessible insight to the key events and personalities which have shaped Britain since 1945. The book's style is witty and easy to read yet offers new ideas and opinions which will interest those with a more serious interest in the subject.
The period is in places a controversial and complex one, but Marr teases out a fine story of our times; adeptly combining Britain's political story with a more lighter social history with references to James Bond, game shows and television programmes. Although, a populist history, Marr does offer interesting insights and reassessments of key personalities of the era. In particular his reassessments of Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher gives much food for thought.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this history to anyone with an interest in our recent history as it is extremely accessible and enjoyable. Alongside this book, I would recommend the Dominic Sandbrook books - Never Had it so Good and White Heat - on Britain in the 1960's, which are equally entertaining and interesting.
A fine read!!!
History for the common man July 13, 2007
R. Chang (London, UK)
28 out of 36 found this review helpful
I found the book fascinating to read with little gems of information that I was not aware of - just how bad was the economy between the Heath and Wilson governments or how far Truman went to screw the Brits after the war, and that the Lend Lease was repaid fully only in 2006!
Written in an easy to read gossipy style. Some snorty academics may say that it lacks erudition (Sunday Times review), but I think Andrew Marr has made history accessible to the majority. I also watched the BBC series. Well done Andrew.
Marr-velous August 14, 2007
Bookshop Bob (London, England)
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
Don't be intimidated by the size of this book. It's accessible, readable, and may not itself be History in the Making with shocking new revelations on every page, but it contextualises everything in a nice, tidy way for the historophobe and gives a real sense of continuity. And there are nuggets that not everyone knows - eg the fact that Thatcher's economic revolution was funded by North Sea Oil money. It's funny that the Thatcher/Major/Blair years are now classed as History. Seems like only yesterday! Bookshop Bob rating: Buy
It,s a political history , but it,s entertaining and informative August 12, 2007
russell clarke (halifax, west yorks)
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
It would take some doing for the book to be as compelling and entertaining as the television series , but it is. Mind you working off ostensibly the same script he really couldn't go wrong .To call it a history of modern Britain is a tad erroneous though, as it's a political history of modern Britain taking in the post war years, though you could argue that a political history is all that's required . I disagree as a true history would have to integrate sociology(and what an upheaval this country has had over the last sixty tears)psychological and spiritual (or secular )doctrine.
Putting pedantry aside this is compelling fare, told in an engaging literate style with no little wit and mischief. Some chapters will engage more than others. I was particularly interested in the Thatcher years onwards as that was when my burgeoning political proclivity kicked in. I happen to disagree with Marrs summation of her years in power that Thatcher took a country in the doldrums and gave it back its confidence . It may have if you were one of the city slickers ostensibly down south who profited from her mendacious exclusive tenure , otherwise it made you feel you mattered even less than before .He is spot on about her being lucky. I love the description of her having "The Eyes of Caligula and the mouth of Marilyn Monroe" though I think if she were still alive Marilyn Monroe would be most offended .....not to mention Caligula.
I would like the book up-dating to fully assess the Blair-eruditely fingered as more establishment than his Tory predecessors- years(Presidency if you are feeling waggish)and I feel that the conclusion will be less than kind. Still I learnt a lot reading about the people like Atlee , though I perceive there is little if anything new in this book, so hardened historians may be disappointed. His summations are pithy -the line about this being a country afraid of the big bomb during the cold war years to one afraid of small bombs is spot on but ultimately it's a tale of how a post war dream of a glorious new Jerusalem has deteriorated into a culture of consumerism, celebrity worship and egocentric self gratification . A History of Britain deals with it's subject in pretty broad stokes but they are colourful engaging strokes, easy on the eye and often containing nuances and textures not noticeable on an initial cursory glance.
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