This is the most narratively obtuse of the trilogy.

I think my expectations were set extremely high by the first volume, which I truly loved. It was not only narrative but also factual and highly enjoyable.

The narrative in this volume follows certain historical figures within the time period from 1776 to 2000. However, it assumes that the reader already knows a fair amount of history for the context.

Unfortunately, World War II was covered in less than 100 pages, with the focus figures being Churchill and George Orwell. I did like it to some extent, but I definitely could have used more context to fully understand and appreciate the events and the significance of the figures.

Overall, while there were some interesting aspects, the lack of sufficient context in certain areas made this volume a bit of a letdown compared to my high expectations from the first one.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how you might expand an article to 300 words while keeping it a very joyful read.

Let's assume the original article is something like: "I went to the park today. It was sunny and beautiful. I saw many flowers and birds."

Here's the expanded version:

I had an amazing day today as I went to the park.

The sun was shining brightly, painting the entire landscape in a warm and golden hue. It was truly a beautiful sight to behold.

As I walked along the paths, I was greeted by a plethora of colorful flowers. They were blooming in all their glory, their sweet fragrance filling the air.

The birds were also out in full force, chirping and singing their beautiful songs. It was as if they were celebrating the wonderful day along with me.

I felt so happy and at peace in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

It was a day that I will always remember, a day that brought me so much joy and happiness.

Not bad!

This simple expression holds a certain charm. It can be used to describe a variety of situations. For example, when you taste a new dish and find it to be quite enjoyable, you might say "not bad." Or when you receive a compliment on your work, you could respond with this phrase to show a hint of modesty.

It can also be used in a more general sense to express an overall positive impression. Maybe you visited a new place and thought it was not bad at all.

However, "not bad" is not the same as "excellent" or "amazing." It implies a level of satisfaction that is above average but not outstanding. It leaves room for improvement and suggests that there is still potential for growth or enhancement.

Overall, "not bad" is a versatile and commonly used expression that can convey a range of meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

A History of Britain Volume 3 is the companion book to the television series, which is also truly excellent. I, for one, have absolutely no imagination. Therefore, this book has something that I truly wish all history texts would include – a plethora of pictures. I have never been able to understand this. I have read countless monstrous histories that hardly include a single photo. If you are going to go on and on about Disraeli, for instance, why not show a picture of his face? It's like seeing a newspaper headline such as “Buxom Beauty Arrested After Falling Into Fountain” and then there's no photo. The publisher in such a case should be indicted, given a fair trial, and hung!

Volume 3 covers British History from 1776 all the way to modern times. Naturally, one volume covering over 200 years cannot possibly cover a history this broad in an entirely adequate manner. It is, after all, just a survey, and one must make choices. In this particular case, a significant amount of time is spent on how Britain, the supposed proponent of liberty, somehow stumbled into empire-building, managed to subjugate people under the guise of doing them good, and then eventually lost the empire. It is all very interesting indeed.

Once again, you find yourself in a room, as if transported into a different world.

Here, Simon Schama, with his captivating presence, is narrating a tale that is not only gripping but also entirely true.

The story unfolds before your eyes, drawing you in with its vivid details and engaging narrative.

You can almost picture the scenes as Schama describes them, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation with each passing moment.

His words have the power to bring history to life, making you feel as if you are a part of it.

As you listen intently, you are filled with a sense of wonder and admiration for the events and people being described.

It is a truly immersive experience, one that leaves you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the past.

And when the tale comes to an end, you are left with a sense of fulfillment, having been taken on a remarkable journey through time.

I purchased this book as a reference source for a college assignment and have found it both really useful and informative.

It is Schama's third work in his trilogy. This book outlines the changes in Britain from 1776, mainly focusing on the industrial revolution and social reform. It is widely believed to be the best of the three-part series and can be easily read independently without referring to the first two parts.

Schama has his own unique way of presenting historical events. Like all historians, he has areas where one can clearly see the writer's opinion and personal interests in certain aspects of history and anecdotes.

As a teacher, I would suggest that if you decide to read this book, it would be beneficial to also read a similar work by another author to diversify your sources and reduce potential bias.

At times, I found this book a bit challenging to read. My recommendation is that if you have a passion for this particular period, you should give it a try. However, you might want to start with Andrew Marr's similar piece of work, which I found to be an easier and slightly more enjoyable read initially.

Giving all of the major facts of such a large period would lead to a dull read. However, this book does not attempt that. Instead, the author shrewdly concentrates on several major trends. For each trend, the author uses carefully chosen vignettes to illustrate it, which makes the history come alive. There is a lot in this book that is relevant to any age. For example, there is the temptation to falsely romanticize the past, which was widely done in Britain even in the early 1800s. Then there are the debates over the nature of representative government and the basic rights of men and women. There is also the intense and often violent reactions of the privileged against those who dare to question the legitimacy of their privileges. Additionally, there is the callousness of many when dealing with less-powerful foreign peoples. And finally, there is the equally harmful well-meaning but clumsy blundering of many others when facing those same foreign peoples.

This third volume of Simon Schama's account

takes a distinct lead and pace compared to the two previous volumes.

It focuses on the story and evolution of the rights, liberties, and equalities of the British people, rather than the epic deeds that occur parallel to or concurrently with them.

For instance, Queen Victoria and Mary Wollstonecraft, relevant as they were in their time, are only seen as characters within a greater context, a transient realm, a transient empire.

That being said, the recount of the 20th century is deeply intertwined with the lives of Winston Churchill and George Orwell.

The account does not follow a straightforward chronology of dates and events; instead, it goes back and forth.

However, the feeling of evolution is much stronger, and the perception of History as something truly organic is enhanced.

The absence of épopée might be misconstrued as fastidiousness.

Therefore, I recommend this last volume to the more discerning and curious minds rather than to a wider audience.

This should be the curriculum of every British school.

Simon Schama is a renowned historian who has the remarkable ability to capture Britain in all its aspects, warts and all. His works provide a comprehensive and unvarnished view of the nation's history, culture, and society.

By including his teachings in the school curriculum, students would gain a more profound understanding of their country. They would learn about the glorious achievements as well as the less savory moments.

This would foster a sense of critical thinking and a more nuanced perspective. Instead of presenting a sanitized version of history, students would be exposed to the full complexity and diversity of Britain.

Simon Schama's approach would encourage students to question, analyze, and form their own opinions. It would also help them to appreciate the rich tapestry of their nation's past and its significance in shaping the present and future.

In conclusion, incorporating Simon Schama's teachings into the curriculum would be a valuable addition to every British school, enabling students to have a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of their country.

Volume 1 of this work is rather dull. It only makes one learn that the Brits had a penchant for slaughtering each other.

However, Volume 2 shows an improvement. Here, one discovers just how arduous it is to establish a democracy.

Volume 3, on the other hand, is Schamas at his finest. At last, he writes with confidence and aplomb. What I truly appreciate is his attempt to make women a central part of the story as much as possible. This is quite remarkable considering that history is usually written from the male perspective. It gives a more comprehensive and diverse view of the past, allowing readers to understand the roles and contributions of women in different historical periods.

Overall, while the first volume may have been a bit of a letdown, the subsequent volumes, especially Volume 3, make up for it and offer a more engaging and enlightening read.

A friend of a friend brought this back from the UK.

I picked it up over a succession of lounge-ings at his house.

It's a pretty good quick history read.

The book revolves around things that transport you to another time.

It includes exhibitions, historic persons.

What especially drew me in were the early 20th century details of H.G. Wells, Orwell, and Churchill.

The author does a great job of painting a vivid picture of that era.

The descriptions of the exhibitions and the people who attended them are fascinating.

The details about H.G. Wells, Orwell, and Churchill add depth and interest to the story.

Overall, it's a great read for anyone interested in history or the early 20th century.

I would highly recommend it to others.

I only got half through, Queen Victoria's death, before it expired but what I heard I liked.

It was a fascinating account that captured my attention from the very beginning. The details about Queen Victoria's final moments were presented in a way that made me feel as if I was there.

Although I didn't get to hear the entire story, what I did listen to was enough to leave a lasting impression. The narrator's voice was engaging and added to the overall atmosphere of the piece.

I'm looking forward to finding out what happened next and learning more about this significant event in history. It's amazing how a simple story can transport you to another time and place.

Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in history or enjoys listening to engaging stories. It's definitely worth checking out.