Looking for good overview of British History (cross-post)

[ChrisN in NY]

I'm looking for a good overview of British History.

We have a Kenyan pastor staying with our church's pastor this month. He spent some time with our family today, and in the course of our conversation over lunch, he mentioned that he'd like a good book to read/learn British history. I'd like to get him a book he can take with him when he leaves next Thursday.

I tried searching the boards, but too many extraneous posts come up (anyone know how to limit that?), and.... well, you know how many hours I could spend at bn.com or amazon.com and still not really have a clue.

Thanks for your suggestions; I appreciate them very much!

[Michelle in MO]

by Plaid Dad, and I bought it and am reading my way through these now:

Volume 1:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Birth-of-Britain/Winston-Spencer-Churchill/e/9780760768570/?itm=7

Volume 2:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-New-World/Winston-Spencer-Churchill/e/9780760768587/?itm=4

Volume 3:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Age-of-Revolution/Winston-Spencer-Churchill/e/9780760768594/?itm=2

Volume 4:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Great-Democracies/Winston-Spencer-Churchill/e/9780760768600/?itm=3

I wish I knew how to post the titles, like other people do here, that lead directly to the links, instead of these awkward links!

I don't know if this is more British history than what this pastor would be interested in. However, I'm finding the reading fascinating! I'm still only on Vol. 1, however, because I spend most of my spare time reading Omnibus, or catching up on my girls' math lessons.

HTH!

[Veronica in VA]

Churchill was great. Another one that I used for my self education was A History of Englad by Clayton and David Roberts. It is actually 2 volumes. It reads very well. It is also recommended in the TWEM.

Veronica

[LisaNY]

I highly recommend Rebecca Fraser's The Story of Britain. It is an *excellent* narrative of British history. A *very* enjoyable read.

[Eliana]

I wish I knew how to post the titles, like other people do here, that lead directly to the links, instead of these awkward links!
!

Type the title of the book.

Use the mouse to select the text you want hyperlinked.

Click on the icon with the globe and the little link (right next to the link X-ed out in red - which is what you use to unlink something).

Paste in the url you want to use.

Isn't it a neat trick? ELaurie showed me how to do it and I have been merrily linking away every since! (Thanks again, Laurie!)

[Laura Corin]

Another vote for the Rebecca Fraser.

Laura

[sailmom]

"The History of Britain and Ireland" by Oxford University Press. It's a gorgeous book, so it would make a lovely gift, and it's quite thorough. :D

The Churchill books are excellent, but there's quite a bit of that sense of the British Empire is the height of civilization, which can be off-putting in a postcolonial sense. The books are a product of the times in which they were written, which is fascinating in itself, and Churchill is a wonderful writer. But some people get turned off by them, so YMMV.

[ChrisN in NY]

The Churchill titles look great, but I'm not certain he could take FOUR books back with him or if he had room in his home in Kenya. However, it sounds like something right up my oldest ds's alley (he LOVES history), so I may get these as a gift for him.

I didn't see the Oxford Univ Press book online, so had to skip that one.

I was thankful for the double recommendation for Rebecca Fraser's book, so I bought that. I found one on half.com for a great price and paid for expedited shipping so hopefully it'll be here soon. I was notified that it was shipped TODAY!

I appreciate the time you all took to respond and link titles, etc.