Crown And Country: A History Of England Through The Monarchy

Description

From one of our finest historians comes an outstanding exploration of the British monarchy from the retreat of the Romans up until the modern day. This compendium volume of two earlier books is fully revised and updated.

The monarchy is one of Britain's most revered institutions - but also one of its most tumultuous. In Crown and Country, David Starkey charts its rollercoaster history from earliest times to the present; from the courtly love of the Middle Ages, through the turbulent reign of the Tudors, to the chaos of the Civil War.

Starkey brings this tempestuous story up to date in this complete history, guiding us through the Abdication Crisis to the dissolution of the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. He draws upon rank and romance in light of the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William and brings to life a cast of colourful characters and some riveting stories. Crown and Country is both a brilliant overview of the monarchy and a vividly iconoclastic portrait of British culture, politics and nationhood.

Reviews

'Eminently readable - Starkey is particularly good at explaining the shifting tone of monarchical power!"Crown and Country" is a masterpiece of accessible history, underscored with profound scholarship - the author's passion for his subject, the royal tale of England, which is the backbone of this nation's story explodes from every page. I defy anybody not to enjoy this book.' - Guardian 'Entertaining - Starkey writes with the snappy zest of an unrepentant telly-don!he has a lovely eye for a good story!he also has a nice line in snarky humour!Starkey's great skill is to weave big themes quietly into a rollicking narrative so that you absorb them almost without noticing they are there.' - Daily Telegraph 'Excellent - the really crucial events in the history of the British Monarchy - are assessed with authority, wisdom and wit. This is Starkey at his fluent and entertaining best.' - Sunday Telegraph 'This book is vivid, lucid and engaging - his judgements delivered with quasi-Pontifical assurance are often acute!a very enjoyable book.' - Daily Telegraph 'David Starkey tours England's monarchical horizon with gusto.' - Sunday Times 'Starkey brings the past to vivid life.' - Daily Express 'Combines compelling narrative and lucid analysis to guide us with a sure hand. Starkey's book will undoubtedly make him and his publishers a tidy profit.' - Spectator

Author description

David Starkey is Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and the author of many books including 'Elizabeth', 'Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII' and 'Henry: Virtuous Prince'. He is a winner of the W.H. Smith Prize and the Norton Medlicott Medal for Services to History presented by Britain's Historical Association. He is a well-known TV and radio personality. He was made a CBE in 2007. He lives in London.