'History clings tight but it also kicks loose,' writes Simon Schama at the outset of At the Edge of the World?, the first book in his three-volume journey into Britain's past. And change - sometimes gentle and subtle, sometimes shocking and violent - is the dynamic of Schama's unapologetically personal and grippingly written history.
A History of BritainSeries
This epic series delves into the rich and complex past of the British Isles, spanning from prehistoric eras to the cusp of the new millennium. The engaging narrative style brings to life pivotal moments, figures, and societal shifts that have shaped the nation. From early civilizations to the rise and fall of empire, this work offers profound insights into British identity and its global impact. It's a captivating historical journey for anyone curious about the forces that forged a nation.






Recommended Reading Order
- 1
- 2
A History of Britain
The Britisch Wars 1603 - 1776
- 2
The British Wars is a compelling chronicle of the changes that transformed every strand and strata of British life, faith and thought from 1603 to 1776. It explores the forces that tore Britain apart during two centuries of dynamic change
- 2
Simon Schama explores the forces that tore Britain apart during two centuries of dynamic change - transforming outlooks, allegiances and boundaries. But as wars of religious passions gave way to campaigns for profit, the British people did come together in the imperial enterprise of 'Britannia Incorporated'.
- 3
A History of Britain Fate of Empire; 1776-2001
- 448 pages
- 16 hours of reading
This work explores the political energy of the mid-1770s through the technological and industrial advancements of the Victorian era and the expansion of the British Empire.
- 3
Schama completes his three-volume history of Britain to accompany the BBC TV series. This period, 1770-2000, covers a variety of themes and key British characters. First, the Romantic generation turned Nature into a revolutionary force, followed by the creative Victorians seeking a better world.