The Story of Britain
Starting from the very beginning of known British history in the Bronze Age and moving swiftly on to the Roman invasion, The Story of Britain (illus. P J Lynch) takes the reader on a journey of changing beliefs and culture right up until the end of the 20th century and the attacks on the World Trade Center. Short chapters take topics of history and present them in a readable style with colour vignettes of key figures. Each section is followed by a timeline indicating significant events of the century. Of course, everyone will have their favourite parts of history which may not be represented, but the book is aimed at upper primary school pupils of 9+, studying Key Stage 2 history and should be able to provide background reading to most topics.
For example, the chapter on the Victorians is illustrated by pictures of Daniel O’Connell, Mary Seacole, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Queen Victoria, Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone and Emmeline Pankhurst. The chapters include: the Peterloo massacre, Daniel O’Connell, the Great Reform Act, the industrial revolution, railways, factory life, unions, the Greta Exhibition, the Charge of the Light Brigade, Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, the Indian Mutiny, the Irish famine, home rule for Ireland, chartists and communists, and suffragettes. A six-page index and list of kings and queens completes the book.
