As expected from the previous installments, this one is also highly entertaining and fast-flowing. Once again, the focus is on great men, with the suffragettes receiving only a brief mention. However, here it seems that the emphasis is even more pronouncedly on just Churchill. In fact, Winston takes up about a third of the audiobook. Moreover, the book practically comes to an end with the 1940s. The events that occurred after World War II are covered in just 37 minutes out of the total 23+ hours. This makes the "1776 - 2000" in the title rather misleading. Fortunately, there are many good popular books available that deal with more recent British history.

My least favourite of the 3 volumes is this one,

probably because it pertains to the period of history that I find less captivating.

The book is, nevertheless, extremely well written and highly informative.

It presents a wealth of details and insights that make it well worth reading.

Even though the particular historical era may not be to my personal taste, the author's skill in presenting the material cannot be denied.

The research that has gone into this volume is evident, and it offers a valuable contribution to the understanding of that particular period.

Despite my initial lack of interest in the subject matter, I found myself engaged by the author's narrative and the interesting facts and stories that were shared.

Overall, while it may not be my favourite of the three volumes, it is still a book that I would recommend to others interested in history.

Score: 3

53 pages into this book, and yet I feel as though hardly anything particularly astonishing has been presented to the reader here. If you are looking for a concise book about the history of Britain, I urge you not to read this book. Thus far, the first chapter has revealed itself as merely an essay on the relation between the American Revolution and French Revolution, and the Tory preoccupation with quelling the spread of the ideas found in Thomas Paine's 「Common Sense」 and 「The Rights of Man.」

Page 123: A bit better, but only because the narrative has entered the Victorian age, and has basically become the biography of Queen Victoria. The author delves into the details of her life, her reign, and the impact she had on Britain. However, this section also suffers from the book's tendency to focus on insignificant details at times.

The section on the Raj was relatively interesting, but only when the narrative didn't wander and focus on insignificant details which the book, on the whole, tends to do. The author could have done a better job of presenting the complex history of the British Raj in a more engaging and concise manner.

There was too much negligible information regarding the lives of both Winston Churchill and George Orwell. I don't particularly feel Orwell's accomplishments warranted the excessive pages allotted in a book called: 「A History of Britain.」 While Churchill's role in British history is significant, the author could have focused more on his political achievements rather than on his personal life.

I'll still read volume 1 and 2, for I hear those two are better than this third installment I've just completed. I recommend this book, but only if you already posses a general understanding of the span which it covers. Otherwise, you may find it overwhelming and lacking in focus.

The third installment in Schama's History of Britain series was every bit as satisfying as the previous two.

This remarkable series is an absolute must for anyone with an interest in obtaining an introductory overview of British History.

I found myself particularly engrossed in the fascinating insights provided into the biographies of Churchill and Orwell.

It's quite humorous to consider that Winston Churchill's father made an unfavorable comparison between him and his brother Jack, stating, "now there's a boy who is going to be somebody."

Schama's ability to bring these historical figures to life and present their stories in such an engaging manner is truly a testament to his skills as a historian.

The series not only provides a comprehensive understanding of British history but also offers a unique perspective on the individuals who shaped it.

Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about the past, Schama's History of Britain series is well worth watching.

The third and final part of Simon Schama's history of Britain is a remarkable piece of work.

Just like in the other volumes, he frequently examines it from a literary or cultural perspective, in addition to the traditional politico-historical one. This approach makes the content highly accessible to the general reader.

Although some individuals may not have a great liking for him, I vividly remember watching the TV series that is based on these books. I thoroughly enjoyed the way he presented the historical events and ideas.

It has taken me a considerable amount of time to go through all three volumes, but I can easily envision myself reading them again in the future.

Schama's work offers a unique and engaging perspective on British history, and it is well worth exploring for anyone interested in the subject.

Understandably, it is far more difficult to evaluate recent history than previous ages. Most individuals possess a significant amount of knowledge about the times they have lived through, or those in which their parents and grandparents lived, albeit often from a somewhat narrow perspective. The jury is still out, definitively, on what has not yet fully transitioned from "current events" to scholarly study.

When I delved into the study of history at school, "modern history" commenced in 1789 with the French Revolution and concluded in 1918 with the Armistice. I find myself wondering why Schama elected an arbitrary date of 1776 for the beginning of this volume.

This, however, implies that I did have a reasonable amount of acquaintance with most of this historical period. (And, being Scottish, we were required to study two versions - for instance, the 1832 Reform Act (E&W) and its counterpart, the 1832 Scottish Reform Act. (Two textbooks, two opinions!))

I took pleasure in the inclusion of women and their gradual emancipation and admission to the professions. The contrasting activities of Florence Nightingale and the more practical and courageous Mary Seacole during the Crimean War were fascinating. The latter, like Dr Elsie Inglis in WWI (from Edinburgh), had to finance her own service. The eccentric Annie Besant, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and (briefly) Sophia Jex-Blake in her struggle to obtain a medical education in Edinburgh (still a moderately challenging feat for women in 1969 - 75, but without the dung slinging) added another layer of interest.

The comparison between Winston Churchill and Eric Blair (aka George Orwell) is quite engaging. Churchill was undoubtedly a remarkable war leader, yet a blunderer in peacetime - it's just as well Twitter hadn't been invented!

The postwar period is rather cursorily covered, as I previously mentioned. However, given the vast amount of information available about the world after the advent of printing and literacy, selections must be made.

A readable and interesting summary of recent history is presented in themes rather than strictly chronological order. This approach makes it easier to understand and remember the key events and developments.

I was looking for a not too demanding UK history book to remind me of the national context when my ancestors were alive. I wanted to complement my local family history work, and this book was perfect for that purpose.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of UK history, covering a wide range of topics such as politics, economy, society, and culture. It presents the information in a clear and engaging way, with plenty of examples and illustrations to support the text.

I also watched the TV series based on the book, which was very helpful. It gave me a better sense of the author's "voice" and made the reading experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in UK history.

Simon Schama is truly a rebel par excellence.

His disclaimer at the start of the book neatly encapsulates the idiosyncrasies of the journey that readers should anticipate. He cautions that his audience shouldn't look for tributes to Sir Robert Peel, the prominent Parliamentarian who shaped liberal politics, or Reginald Maudling, a towering figure in post-war Britain.

Schama is a hipster-historian. He regards Thomas Bewick, a natural history author, a romantic, and an engraver, as a better representative of some significant trends in Britain's late 18th century. He is fixated on poets and writers. For a study of Chartism, he turns to Elizabeth Gaskell, and for Victorian morality, to Thomas Carlyle, while also having an affinity for great heroes.

While the ruffian scorns academia for discarding great men, Schama precisely resurrects them. Biography enthusiasts should delight in the details that Schama is willing to reveal about the lives of William Hazlitt, Trevelyan, Churchill, and George Orwell. A non-British figure who merits an honorable mention on this list is Rousseau, a true architect of the modern world.

Economic history seems to lag in the background, while cultural history flourishes in the spotlight. This book is an enjoyable read because of Schama's intimacy with the subject. It's not just the history of Britain but 'his' history of Britain.

Schama隐瞒了英国在爱尔兰和印度的残酷行径以及所有加剧这些行径并保持沉默的势力的事实。但在所有的故事和英雄之上，历史学家以及他如何掌握素材的过程显得尤为突出。他似乎和我一样是个历史爱好者——无所不知。

Wavering between 3.5 and 4 stars.

This rating indicates a certain degree of indecision or ambiguity. It could mean that the product or service in question has both positive and negative aspects.

On one hand, there are features or qualities that are quite appealing and worthy of a higher rating. Maybe it offers good value for money, has a nice design, or provides decent functionality.

On the other hand, there might be some drawbacks or areas where it falls short. It could have a few glitches, lack certain advanced features, or have a less than perfect user experience.

Overall, the 3.5 to 4-star range suggests that the item is still a viable option, but it may not be without its flaws. It requires careful consideration and weighing of the pros and cons before making a final decision.

Customers in this situation might need to further research or seek additional information to determine if the positives outweigh the negatives and if it truly meets their specific needs and expectations.

As usual, the work is extremely well written.

However, it is evident that it was composed in a rather rushed manner after the conclusion of the Second World War.

The circumstances during that time were likely chaotic and filled with a sense of urgency.

Perhaps the author was under pressure to complete the piece quickly in order to meet a deadline or address the pressing issues of the post-war era.

Despite the rushed nature, the quality of the writing still shines through.

The author's skill and talent are apparent in the well-crafted sentences and engaging narrative.

It is a testament to the author's ability that even in a hurried state, they were able to produce such a remarkable piece of work.

Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see what could have been achieved if more time and care had been given to the writing process.

Perhaps the ideas could have been developed more fully, and the overall work could have reached an even higher level of excellence.

I'll sum up my review of all three parts to his trilogy in this, the final volume.

The great thing about British history is that there can be and are so many people of so many nationalities and viewpoints who have taken the trouble to research and write about it. This means that, unlike many nations, we are constantly able to reassess our role in history and see ourselves from both internal and external angles.

Schama takes the history we learned in school and enriches the bony dates and battles. He dispels many myths and reveals that, far from being solely interested in Imperial glory, Britain was far more concerned with security and money, striving to obtain more of each. He is not afraid to gently debunk all our myths and hold a mirror up to ourselves.

I firmly believe that all countries should have such comprehensive and objective histories. It would go a long way in reducing some of the chauvinism and bigotry that still persists around the world. By understanding our true past, we can better shape a more inclusive and harmonious future for all.

This is a truly remarkable series that has come to a very strong finish. It offers a very personal and in some respects idiosyncratic exploration of the history of Britain.

What makes this volume particularly stand out are the interesting perspectives it presents on women's liberation. The lives of Victoria, Churchill, and George Orwell are elegantly utilized as guides through the ups and downs of the people.

The author has done an excellent job of weaving together these individual stories with the broader historical context. The result is a fascinating and engaging read that provides valuable insights into the past.

Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about Britain's rich heritage, this series is highly recommended. It offers a unique and refreshing take on a well-trodden subject, and is sure to leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country's history.