Peter AckroydRevolution: The History of England, Book 4

Plan on details, folks! The social and political changes which occurred in Britain during George III reign can still be seen today. Brilliant writing.

nothing dislike. I will read the book.

“Revolution,” Peter Ackroyd’s fourth book of five in his splendid history of England, brings the reader from the end of the 17th century into the all important 18th century finishing in the Age of Napoleon. As much as the annoying monarchy traditionally defines the periods of English history, Ackroyd's skill as a historian and his adroitness as a writer and an independent thinker, focuses on the loss of the American colonies, the advent of the mercantile age, the roots of the Industrial Revolution and the reaction of England to the French Revolution and the overriding significance of "precedent and continuity in the life of the nation, a contract between the dead, the living and those yet to be born." The book ends with Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo and England as “the great moral leader in the struggle for freedom and against tyranny.”

My husband loves this author and has read severalof his books. He says they are interesting, factual,and you want to keep reading.My husband has about 200 History books so he knows what is good and what is not worth reading.

Extensively researched and exceptionally well written, volume iv, like it’s predecessors, provides a complete view of 17th century England to include political, military, cultural, and social history. Perfectly sets the stage for the next volume in the series.

The fault lies with me. Intellectual history bores me to tears. I've eagerly read two of his books. But no more.

Ackroyd is a great writer. The history is entertainingly presented. I appreciate it very much because it has been hard for me to find materials on 18th century England.The proofreading is horrible. The book describes John Adams as writing a letter to "Thomas Edison" when I am pretty sure it meant "Thomas Jefferson."

The book itself is nicely rich in detail about the history of the monarchy. This particular volume shows just how messed up the Tudor family was. Oy!That being said, I'm really enjoying Ackroyd's work. On to Volume III now.

A pleasant reading about the history of England. I have the complete collection of this author.

A brilliant piece of writing that draws you into the period of English history it portrays, to great effect. I could not put this book down, and was sorry to reach the end. Ackroyd is the best teller of all the little details that make the past come alive.

Peter Ackroyd is a remarkable author. He brings history to life and writes with insight about people, events and social history across all walks of life. Rather than give account of facts, he draws the reader in to the scene. I often felt as if I were walking through the stinking dirty streets, feeling the squalor, or that I was within the royal court, eavesdropping on conversation and witnessing the opulence.I’ve read and enjoyed every book in this series and learned a great deal along the way. His writing is lively and at times, this reads like a gripping page turning novel. An informed gistorian but what I enjoy most is the social commentary on the times. Brilliant book all round.

Revolution, the fourth volume of Peter Ackroyd's History of England covers the period 1688 to 1815. From William of Orange's accession following the Glorious Revolution to the flamboyant Prince of Wales who ruled in place of his mad father, George III and the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.I was amazed how much actually happened during this period, the start of the Industrial Revolution, the American war of Independence, the French Revolution. Then there was the emergence of newspapers, ‘the first daily newspaper, the Daily Courant, was issued on Wednesday 11 March 1702.’ Samuel Johnson published his dictionary and the Encyclopaedia Brittanica was also published for the first time. There was also a rise of the theatre and music as a form of pleasure.Peter Ackroyd’s easy story telling style and social analysis makes this as accessible to the casual reader as it does to the historian. He brings alive the dawn of the industrial age and squaller of the streets of London and it’s provincial towns, you can almost smell the smog, vomit and urine! From the Gin craze and the problems that caused to ‘the dark satanic mills’. Ackroyd enhances this with quotes from people like Johnathan Swift, Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding and Tobias Smollet, the 18th century became ‘the age of the novelist.’It reads like a novel and is never dry or boring. It is an entertaining and informative read.

I find this author to be clear, concise, voluble when required, and erudite. I like the way he writes as it makes sense to me. The four volumes are highly recommended as a good start to an understanding of British history.