Rating: 
Summary: great history isn't always lite reading!
Review: A densely packed compendium of British history...can't wait for part 2. The times of the ancient Britons were particularly interesting. Reading it requires concentration but you will be rewarded by Schama's wit and comedic asides - at times a welcome relief for this intense volume. Many excellent photographs positioned near the subject matter. This book is not for the casual history reader and is probably why some people are rating it with fewer stars.Long live the king...no,the queen, no, the king...no, Mr. Schama!
Rating: 
Summary: A winner
Review: A really good read. It is easy to see why dyed-in-the-wool historians don't care for this book. Big topics such as The War of the Roses and Crecy and Agincourt get little coverage. Crecy and Agincourt are mentioned in passing. The War of the Roses gets about three pages to cover several kings; the source of the name is not even mentioned. Henry VIII and Elizabeth I get whole chapters. Schama writes about the interesting characters - the ones he likes - and he does it in an entertaining fashion. I'm well into his second book now.
Rating:
Summary: A winner
Review: A really good read. It is easy to see why dyed-in-the-wool historians don't care for this book. Big topics such as The War of the Roses and Crecy and Agincourt get little coverage. Crecy and Agincourt are mentioned in passing. The War of the Roses gets about three pages to cover several kings; the source of the name is not even mentioned. Henry VIII and Elizabeth I get whole chapters. Schama writes about the interesting characters - the ones he likes - and he does it in an entertaining fashion. I'm well into his second book now.
Rating:
Summary: A highly recommended historical survey
Review: Ably narrated by Timothy West, Simon Schama's A History Of Britain is a superbly presented, highly recommended historical survey of Great Britain from 3500 B.C. to 1603 A.D. A deftly abridged audiobook version, this flawless production is the first volume of an epic two-part history showcasing the birth and growth of a nation as illustrated by vivid and compelling stories of early tribes and invasions, the Norman Conquest, religious wars, and monarchial struggles and sovereignties; the Black Plague, the growth of national identity in Wales and Scotland, religious wars, and the glorious reign of Elizabeth I which saw Britain emerge as a true world power.
Rating:
Summary: Popular History with Bite
Review: Apparently those disappointed with the lack of the "magisterial" or the absense of dry, scholarly tone, skipped Schama's objectives as stated in his three quotes at the beginning of the book. As an avid anglophile I found Schama's insights thrilling and the whole up to billing. A very approachable history, wonderfully told.
Rating: 
Summary: English kings & their wars
Review: Good old-fashioned battles-and-heroes historical narrative, covering many of the best-loved stories of English history. Agincourt is here, as is Richard the Lionheart - though as soon as he gets off the island he's out of view: so his valor as a crusader counts for naught, his kidnapping counts only for the burden of the ransom on English taxpayers. Scots come into it in the stone age, and again as adversary & object of union. Ditto Ireland. Ditto Wales. One would have hoped for a more balanced coverage of all four nations but this is the good old stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Survey textbook??
Review: I have always appreciated Schama's entertaining and instructive writing as well as his meticulous attention to historical detail. However, A HISTORY OF BRITAIN is NOT of the caliber of his other books about European history including CITIZENS, EMBARASSEMENT OF RICHES, or PATRIOTS. In the past, Schama's books have offered a wealth of information about the lives of common folk and the times in which they lived. Not so this book, which is nothing more than a pathetic imitation of the series Alison Weir has been writing about British royalty. At first glance the book appears to be a survey text for use in junior high school as there is nothing challenging about the text. Although the book has been advertised as "covering the history of Britain from 3500 B.C. to 1603 A.D." the first 4500 years are covered in 60 odd pages. By the second chapter, we are at the Norman invasion. Probably the most irritating feature of the book is the lack of a comprehensive geneology chart of the British royalty which seems to be it's main focus. This glossy volume was apparently created as a complement to the History Channel show of the same name as it contains many of same illustrations, portraits and maps. The History Channel version of the story will undoubtedly become a DVD and the book will probably prove useful for following up something you note from the tv show as it contains a pretty good bibiliography.
Rating:
Summary: Would love to take a class under Simon Schama
Review: I highly recommend "A History of Britain: At The End of the World?" to anyone, especially those just embarking on a study of the country and its more memorable monarchs and revolutionaries. Of course, in this format Schama cannot possibly go into detail about everything and everyone: he means to hit the high points, and he does so with a detatched eye, a dry wit and a keen method of observation. He tells of the usual suspects - William The Conqueror (also known as William The Bastard), Henry VIII, Henry II and his fatal quarrel with the doomed Archbishop Thomas Becket - but in between these great historic personalities comes the voice of the common man, be he (or she) monk, peasant or serf, commenting on the spread of plague through a devestated village or joining his voice to others to seek satisfaction from Richard II. Others here have commented upon the beauty of the book - its gorgeous pictures, its helpful maps - and I can add nothing except to say that they do add a wonderful visual aspect. The video series of "A History of Britain", as well as the companion books, are well worth anyone's time, whether they are seasoned in British history or just getting interested.
Rating:
Summary: Keeping it in perspective...
Review: I liked this book. Here's why. I wanted an overview of the events and people who shaped the history of England and I didn't have to wade through endless jargon and gigantic vocabulary to get it. Now I'm ready to read more detailed books that focus on smaller pieces of time or specific individuals. I will be able to keep it in perspective with this basic background. An added plus, it was FUN to read! If you already have a basic understanding of the main players in this time period of England's history, however, you may find little here to stimulate your interest.
Rating:
Summary: Hungry for Vol. II
Review: I loved this book! I'm travelling to London this summer, and wanted a good read to make the details of my trip more meaningful. I started by reading textbook-style histories that left me sorting through fleeting names and dates as I closed the back cover. This book kept me on the edge of my seat! You get a real taste of the personalities of these often cruel, power-hungry people. It reads like a soap opera. William the Conqueror, Henry II, etc. are permanent fixtures in my memory now!
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