A History Of England


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(4.4 stars; 5 reviews)

A one-volume survey of the history of England from Celtic and Roman times through the end of the nineteenth century. Muscular prose makes an exciting narrative emphasizing the political, military, and religious history of the kingdom. Oman dwells heavily on the role of moral probity, intellectual caliber, and energy, or failings in any of those areas, on the part of monarchs and other men or women of power in driving the course of events. Most chapters begin, and some end as well, with a discourse on the character of the monarch or leading politicians of the period under consideration, and similar assessments are adduced as needed in the course of the narrative. The author maintains sobriety in his accolades for leaders he admires, but those he considers villainous or incompetent, lazy, and purely self-interested come in for colorful denunciations such as the description of one king as “a selfish, hard-hearted, unamiable, and uninteresting man” and the characterization of corrupt politicians in the reign of another monarch as “disgraceful personalities…squalid intriguers…a crew of sharpers and hypocrites.” Often, however, he finds a very human mixture of virtues and vices, strengths and weaknesses, and discerns benefits to the nation from the governance even of some flawed but intelligent and energetic leaders. Summary by Pattymarie (34 hr 27 min)

Chapters

Celtic and Roman Britain 39:44 Read by pattymarie
The Coming of the English 26:44 Read by pattymarie
The Conversion of England, and the Rise of Wessex. 597-836 29:44 Read by pattymarie
The Danish Invasions, and the Great Kings of Wessex, 836-975, Part 1 26:40 Read by pattymarie
The Danish Invasions, and the Great Kings of Wessex, 836-975, Part 2 28:25 Read by pattymarie
The Days of Cnut and Edward the Confessor, part 1 23:03 Read by pattymarie
The Days of Cnut and Edward the Confessor, part 2 27:55 Read by pattymarie
The Norman Conquest, part 1 21:50 Read by pattymarie
The Norman Conquest, 1066-1087, part 2 24:46 Read by pattymarie
William the Red, Henry I, Stephen, 1087-1154, part 1 17:55 Read by pattymarie
William the Red, Henry I, Stephen, 1087-1154, part 2 21:42 Read by pattymarie
William the Red, Henry I, Stephen, 1087-1154, part 3 13:58 Read by pattymarie
Henry II, 1154-1189, part 1 30:40 Read by pattymarie
Henry II. 1154-1189, part 2 26:10 Read by pattymarie
Richard I. and John. 1189-1216, part 1 29:22 Read by pattymarie
Richard I. and John. 1189-1216, part 2 38:51 Read by pattymarie
Henry III. 1216-1272, part 1 20:09 Read by pattymarie
Henry III. 1216-1272, part 2 21:52 Read by pattymarie
Chapter 11. Edward I, 1272 - 1307, part 1 20:48 Read by pattymarie
Chapter 11. Edward I, 1272 - 1307, part 2 34:09 Read by pattymarie
Chapter 11. Edward I, 1272 - 1307, part 3 23:03 Read by pattymarie
Edward II, 1307 - 1327 28:14 Read by pattymarie
Edward III. 1327-1377, part 1 30:11 Read by pattymarie
Edward III. 1327-1377, part 2 20:37 Read by pattymarie
Edward III. 1327-1377, part 3 17:08 Read by pattymarie
Richard II. 1377-1399, part 1 18:55 Read by pattymarie
Richard II. 1377-1399, part 2 20:16 Read by pattymarie
Henry IV. 1399-1413 22:41 Read by pattymarie
Henry V. 1413-1422 part 1 13:59 Read by pattymarie
Henry V. 1413-1422 part 2 21:05 Read by pattymarie
The Loss of France. 1422-1453 part 1 27:15 Read by pattymarie
The Loss of France. 1422-1453 part 2 25:42 Read by pattymarie
Chapter 18. The Wars of the Roses. 1454-1471 part 1 18:14 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 18. The Wars of the Roses. 1454-1471 part 2 20:01 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 19. The Fall of the House of York. 1471-1485 part 1 17:35 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 19. The Fall of the House of York. 1471-1485 part 2 13:41 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 20. Henry VII. 1485-1509, Part 1 Beginning through “Warbeck and the Earl of Warwick Executed”(last words “…lest his royal blood be his ruin.”) 19:26 Read by Kerry Adams
Chapter 20. Henry VII 1485-1509, Part 2 Suppression of Livery and Maintenance (First words “After Warbeck’s failure…” through end of chapter. 13:29 Read by Kerry Adams
Chapter 21. Henry VIII and the Breach With Rome. 1509-1536, Part 1, Beginning through Wolsey Aims at Becoming Pope, “last words “…some surer partisan elected.” 16:33 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 21. Henry VIII and the Breach With Rome. 1509-1536, Part 2, “Condition of the Church” First words “Wolsey’s Scheme of reforming…” through end of chapter. 17:10 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 22. English Reformation. 1536-1553, Part 1 Beginning through “Marriages with Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.” Last words “…to which he often gave way.” 25:06 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 22. The English Reformation. 1536-1553, Part 2 “Scottish War.--Battle of Solway Moss, first words “The time was a very evil one…” through the end of chapter. 22:46 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 23. The Catholic Reaction. 1553-1558 14:47 Read by Inkell
Chapter 24. Elizabeth. 1558-1603, Part I Beginning through The Rising in the North” (last words “…secure her liberty.”) 22:17 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 24. Elizabeth. 1558-1603, Part 2 "Religious Wars in Europe" (First words “Meanwhile the aspect of affairs…”) through “The English Successes at Sea” (last words “…and St. Domingo (1586) ) 15:29 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 24. Elizabeth. 1558-1603, Part 3, "Last Plot of Mary Queen of Scots" (First words “Meanwhile Mary Queen of Scots…) through “Colonial Enterprises” (last words “…tobacco and potatoes.”) 15:50 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 24. Elizabeth. 1558-1603, Part 4 "Growth of Foreign Trade" (first words “Colonial enterprise was accompanied…”) through the end of chapter. 20:55 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 25. James I. 1603-1625, Part 1 Beginning through "The Gun Powder Plot" 14:12 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 25. James I. 1603-1625, Part 2 "Strife between the king and parliament" and the end of chapter. 17:15 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 26. The Reign of Charles I. to the Outbreak of the Civil War. 1625-1642, Part 1, Beginning through "Parliament dissolved", 12:09 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 26. The Reign of Charles I. to the Outbreak of the Civil War. 1625-1642, Part 2, "Personal Government" through "The Scots take up arms." 13:59 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 26. The Reign of Charles I. to the Outbreak of the Civil War. 1625-1642, Part 3, "The Short Parliament" through "The Position of the king." 12:31 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 26. The Reign of Charles I. to the Outbreak of the Civil War. 1625-1642, Part 4 8:48 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 27. The Great Civil War. 1642-1651, Part 1 Beginning through "The Solemn League and Covenant.." 19:30 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 27. The Great Civil War. 1642-1651, Part 2, "Charles seeks aid from IrelandCharles seeks aid from Ireland" through "The "New-Model Army." " 12:38 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 27. The Great Civil War. 1642-1651, Part 3, " 1645. Battle of Naseby.—The Midlands lost to Charles" through "Parliament offers terms to Charles" 10:33 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 27. The Great Civil War. 1642-1651, Part 4, "Parliament and the army" through end of chapter. through end of chapter. 17:44 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 28. Cromwell. 1651-1660, Part 1, Beginning through "Cromwell dissolves Parliament by force." 10:56 Read by Cavaet
Chapter 28. Cromwell. 1651-1660, Part 2, "The Barebones Parliament" through the end of chapter. 19:22 Read by Cavaet
Chapter 29. Charles II. 1660-1685, Part 1, Beginning through "The Fire in London. 1666" 15:52 Read by Inkell
Chapter 29. Charles II. 1660-1685, Part 2, "The Peace of Breda" through end of chapter. 15:29 Read by Inkell
Chapter 30. James II. 1685-1688 15:48 Read by Inkell
Chapter 31. William and Mary. 1688-1702, Part 1, Beginning through "The Protestant ascendency." 21:54 Read by jenno
Chapter 31. William and Mary. 1688-1702, Part 2, "The French War.--Tory disaffection" through end of chapter. 20:09 Read by jenno
Chapter 32. Anne. 1702-1714, Part 1, Beginning through "Gibraltar taken by the English." 15:53 Read by russcallawag
Chapter 32. Anne. 1702-1714, Part 2, "The campaign of 1705" through "The union with Scotland." 14:36 Read by russcallawag
Chapter 32. Anne. 1702-1714, Part 3, "The growing unpopularity of the whigs" through the end of chapter. 18:22 Read by russcallawag
Chapter 33. The Rule of the Whigs. 1714-1739, Part 1, Beginning through “Mar’s Army Disperses.” 20:32 Read by Michael Merrell
Chapter 33. The Rule of the Whigs. 1714-1739, Part 2, “The Second Attempt of the Pretender” through the end of chapter. 18:33 Read by Michael Merrell
Chapter 34. The Development of the Colonial Empire of Britain. 1739-1760, Part 1, “Beginning through “The Battle of Fontenoy.” 16:43 Read by Matt Stiner
Chapter 34. The Development of the Colonial Empire of Britain. 1739-1760, Part 2, “The Rebellion of 45” through “Suppression of Scottish Jacobitism.” 14:47 Read by Matt Stiner
Chapter 34. The Development of the Colonial Empire of Britain. 1739-1760, Part 3, “ Progress of the war in Europe.—1745-1747” through "Outbreak of Hostilities - Braddock's Defeat." 31:30 Read by Matt Stiner
Chapter 34. The Development of the Colonial Empire of Britain. 1739-1760, Part 4, “European coalition against Prussia” through the end of chapter. 28:21 Read by Matt Stiner
Chapter 35. George III. and the Whigs—The American War. 1760-1783, Part 1, Beginning through “The Resignation of Bute.” 16:58 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 35. George III. and the Whigs—The American War. 1760-1783, Part 2, “The Divisions of the Whig Party” through “Lord North Prime Minister” 17:08 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 35. George III. and the Whigs—The American War. 1760-1783, Part 3, “The Impotence of the Whigs in Parliament” through the end of chapter. 22:45 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 36. THE YOUNGER PİTT, AND THE RECOVERY OF ENGLİSH PROSPERİTY. 1782-1793, PART 1, BEGİNNİNG THROUGH “THE COALİTİON RESİGNS.” 12:29 Read by elmachina
Chapter 36. THE YOUNGER PİTT, AND THE RECOVERY OF ENGLİSH PROSPERİTY. 1782-1793, Part 2, “Pitt takes office” through “Pitt’s financial and commercial policy.” 8:44 Read by elmachina
Chapter 36. THE YOUNGER PİTT, AND THE RECOVERY OF ENGLİSH PROSPERİTY. 1782-1793, PART 3, “PEACE ABROAD” THROUGH END OF CHAPTER. 18:35 Read by elmachina
Chapter 37. England and the French Revolution. 1789-1802, Part 1, Beginning through “The moderate Whigs join Pitt.” 17:46 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 37. England and the French Revolution. 1789-1802, Part 2, “Lewis XVI. executed.—France declares war on England” through “The Act of Union passed.” 26:00 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 37. England and the French Revolution. 1789-1802, Part 3, “Bonaparte in Egypt” through the end of chapter. 15:25 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 38. England and Bonaparte. 1802-1815, Part 1, Beginning through “Attempted Irish rebellion.—English success in India.” 14:50 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 38. England and Bonaparte. 1802-1815, Part 2, “Bonaparte assumes the title of Emperor” through “The Treaty of Tilsit.” 17:01 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 38. England and Bonaparte. 1802-1815, Part 3, “The Berlin Decrees” through “Battles of Fuentes d'Onoro and Albuera..” 23:12 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 38. England and Bonaparte. 1802-1815, Part 4, “Further Annexations by Napoleon.” to the end of chapter. 24:36 Read by ebarnett
Chapter 39. Reaction and Reform. 1815-1832, Part 1, Beginning through “The royal family and the succession.” 16:57 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 39. Reaction and Reform. 1815—1832. Part 2. “The Government and the agitation” through “Death of Canning.” 14:56 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 39. Reaction and Reform. 1815—1832. Part 3. “Wellington and the Greek Insurgents” through end of chapter 18:39 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 40. Chartism and the corn laws. 1832 – 1852. Part 1, Beginning through “Melbourne Ministry.” 16:35 Read by jenno
Chapter 40. Chartism and the corn laws. 1832 – 1852. Part 2.“Death of William IV” through “Chartist agitations. 15:28 Read by jenno
Chapter 40. Chartism and the corn laws. 1832 – 1852. Part 3 “The "Young Ireland Party." ” to end of chapter 23:01 Read by jenno
Chapter 41. The Days of Palmerston. 1852—1865. Part 1. Beginning through “The Ecclesiastical Titles Bill.” 22:13 Read by Rita Boutros
Chapter 41. The Days of Palmerston. 1852—1865. Part 2. “State of political parties” through “Resignation of Lord Aberdeen.” 29:31 Read by Rita Boutros
Chapter 41. The Days of Palmerston. 1852—1865. Part 3. “Lord Palmerston premier” through “Napoleon and the Italians.” 17:44 Read by Rita Boutros
Chapter 41. The Days of Palmerston. 1852—1865. Part 4. “Palmerston returns to power” to end of chapter. 13:53 Read by Rita Boutros
Chapter 42. Democracy and Imperialism. 1865—1885. Part 1. Beginning through “The Abyssinian expedition.” 16:47 Read by Paul Lawley-Jones
Chapter 42. Democracy and Imperialism. 1865—1885. Part 2. “Gladstone prime minister – the Irish church dis-established" through "Fall of Gladstone's ministry." 6:59 Read by Tatiana Chichilla
Chapter 42. Democracy and Imperialism. 1865—1885. Part 3. “Disraeli’s ministry.—The Home Rule Party.” through “The fall of Lord Beaconsfield’s ministry.” 7:27 Read by Tatiana Chichilla
Chapter 42. Democracy and Imperialism. 1865—1885. Part 4. “Gladstone’s second ministry.—the Boer War” through end of chapter. 10:02 Read by Tatiana Chichilla
Chapter 43. The Last Years of Queen Victoria. 1886—1901. The South African War. 1899—1902. Part 1. Read from beginning through “Jameson’s raid incident.” 17:07 Read by Tatiana Chichilla
Chapter 43. The Last Years of Queen Victoria. 1886—1901. The South African War. 1899—1902. Part 2. “Death of Gladstone” to end of chapter. 17:57 Read by CBinns
Chapter 44. India and the Colonies. 1815—1902. Part 1. Beginning through “Renewal of the company’s charter.” 14:46 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 44. India and the Colonies. 1815—1902. Part 2. “The First Afghan War. —Lord Auckland restores Shaw Sujah” through “Dethronement of the king of Oude.” 11:44 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 44. India and the Colonies. 1815—1902. Part 3. “Lord Canning Governor-General” through “The Queen proclaimed Empress of India.” 17:48 Read by James R. Hedrick
Chapter 44. India and the Colonies. 1815—1902. Part 4. “The Australian Penal settlements—New South Wales” through end of chapter. 17:19 Read by James R. Hedrick

Reviews

The audio gets better a few chapters in.


(5 stars)

Great calming voice. Interesting read!


(5 stars)

Preferred English speakers accents and pronunciation.