Book Review: The History of England, Volume 1, Foundation by Peter Ackroyd

This is by far the most interesting book I've read about this period of English history. While the main text follows the lives and deaths of the rulers of our fair land, this is only part of the book.

Some of the most interesting chapters, and certainly the most important for me, are those that follow the lives of normal people, those that may not have made history, but certainly had to deal with what seems like near constant war, taxes, and change. These smaller chapters deal with certain topics at certain periods, such as children's toys and education, the house, and birth and death. Other chapters look at the country and how we evolved as a nation, how other nations saw us as a people (not positively for the main), and our climate over time.


I found this book to be unputdownable, which for such a long book is quite an achievement. As well as giving a good sense of England over the time period (from the settlement of people after the ice age began to receed to 1509 - the death of Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch), there are so many facts that make you sit up and think. Importantly the author, unlike some others, realises that history is about interpretation of things that are currently known. With this in mind we read what the author thinks is most likely, but then are give alternative ideas and stories that may provide an alternative history - this makes for a balanced book and shows that history is alive.

It's important to note that this book could have been written in 100 different ways focusing on a 1000 different people and events - just like any book on history. I found this to be a very interesting perspective and it provides enough information in an accessible way that will prompt me to read more about the history of England.

This is the first in a six part series on the history of England and will take us right up to the twentieth century (which looks to provide us with a 3,000 page history). It's also the first Peter Ackroyd book I've read - but it certainly won't be the last. I defy anyone to read this book and not be illuminated and impressed with the authors skill of weaving a detailed - yet accessible - narrative. In some ways it felt more like a novel than a history book, but excels because of this.