British Culture: An Introduction

Rating:
Summary: Britwatch well-done!
Review: Not many books succeed in covering the cultural panorama of modern Britain in such a concise, precise and well-informed way. I found the information clear and detailed, but always interesting and accessible. Not many other books in the field manage to guide the reader in such a way, and either end up being dense and unreadable or else simple and patronising. Christopher's book does neither and should be a useful text for anyone with an interest in modern British cultural life, particularly students of British studies, or like me, of language and literature.

I'd like to have seen more pictures, and more activities, perhaps based around authentic texts. Apart from that, it's a useful addition to any student's reading list, and I can warmly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Modern British culture(s) clearly explained
Review: This is a welcome addition to the existing literature on the complexity of cultural life in Britain today. I liked the book for several reasons. First, it does what it says, and provides a well-written and comprehensible introduction to widely studied subject areas. Second, it's clear, well-written and objective. Third, it puts the material in a clear historical context. The students like it too, especially the chapters on literature, film and popular music.

In my opinion, there's no other text that is so well-researched and which manages to generate interest in its subject matter; the author breathes life into his subjects and convinces the reader to go out and learn more about them. This is an interesting, useful and practical addition to the library of any student/teacher of modern British culture and the arts.