Island Stories: An Unconventional History of Britain

‘Concise, elegant and lucid … A very useful primer on the delusions of an English mentality’ Guardian What do we get wrong about Britain’s history and its place in the world? In a brilliant, big-picture history, bestselling author David Reynolds moves beyond the Brexit debate to trace and reassess the defining narratives of Britain’s past. From fluctuating engagement with Europe to the legacies of Empire. From the Acts of Union that forged the United Kingdom to the slave trade, immigration and the special relationship. This is a vital guide to how Britain’s identity was really formed, and what long-held and often-damaging illusions we should be shaking off. David Reynolds Island Stories is a literary exploration of the political processes that have shaped Britain's identity. From the English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh perspectives, he delves into the modern campaigns and elections that have marked the evolution of the United Kingdom in the 21st century. For fans of Ron Chernow (Titan), Christopher Clark (Prisoners of Time), Anchee Min (The Cooked Seed), Niall Ferguson (Doom), and David Kynaston (A Northern Wind).