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A History of Modern Britain

Author: Andrew Marr
Publisher: Pan Books
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

19 reviews
Sales Rank: 9

Media: Paperback
Pages: 629
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.2 x 1.9

ISBN: 0330439839
EAN: 9780330439831
ASIN: 0330439839

Publication Date: May 2, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Amazon.co.uk subsidiary with same five star customer service and 30 day returns policy. Medium mark on front. Never read copy. Small wrinkle or bend on front.

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - A History of Modern Britain
•	Audio CD - A History of Modern Britain
•	Hardcover - A History of Modern Britain

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Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking June 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Once I picked this book up I could not put it down.Memories came spinning back to this fifties boy.I came up through most of these times and so I could relate to this modern history.Andrew Marr has handled the political side very well in this book and has managed to keep his personal views from overspilling into factual happeninings.One thing it did for me was to show that our country is run by legalised liars with huge built in egos , no matter what party or Prime Minister has run Britain.How many times has Britain survived bankruptcy from the failings of all these politicians who treat their position as a career and right with greed being the reward? Why do we have to wait until something is history before we see the true failings and stories.Read this book and see how a great country has survived being led by so many leaders who only care for themselves and their party.A very thought provoking book which should be read by all.

5 out of 5 stars

Very well written, accessible reading June 21, 2008
Marr's 'A History of Modern Britain' is an accessible, very well written book. It is by no means a short, quickfire history book - Andrew Marr considers a wide range of themes and aspects of history. Of interest is the fact that the author does not just stick to political history: he diversifies into social history, culture and the popular tales of societ that linger in the press for decades after events happened. Marr uses an enjoyable style, making the reader quite aware that this is not a purely academic work, but is intended for people's enjoyment. This, in my opinion, is most commendable.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent June 10, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

An excellent, balanced and highly informative history of post-war Britain, and a very good accompaniment to the TV series to boot.

4 out of 5 stars

Unusual History Book, it made me laugh. April 5, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful

Just finished "what a surprise" reading a History book. The author's entertaining voice can be heard all through it. He also wetted my appetite for another book on the personal insults politicians have thrown at each other, please write it Mr Marr. I don't think he ever intended this book to be a heavyweight, academic history book, so choose it with this in mind. I finished this book knowing that I'd learned some more recent British History and I actually enjoyed doing it. I Laughed out Load several times, yes, it is better to laugh than cry at most of the mistakes made by our political leaders. So in my Mr Average opinion it is a beneficial read. Unfortunately for all of us in Britain this book has a bit of a sad ending.

4 out of 5 stars

I think the word 'Political' is missing from the title March 31, 2008
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

I originally bought this book after hearing about the TV programme and reading the reviews on here and also because I thought it would be a good education for me.

As I neared the end of the book I re-read the reviews here and was somewhat surprised to see some 1 and 2 star reviews, although on reading them I did agree with some of their content.

Overall the book as far as what I hoped to get out of it was 5 stars. Very readable and a great review of politics from 1945 until 2006.

However I do have some comments about it. I didn't quite understand the infrequent dips into non-political issues e.g. fashion in the 1960s. Although I can understand that this was an important backdrop to the political situation (more liberal rules etc) the 'dipping' was a little inconsistent, almost as if either Andrew Marr or the publisher had said 'Nice book can you do a few non-political bits please?'. I did enjoy the 'dips' but wonder whether the book would be better without them, or with more of them? On balance they could probably have been worked in within the theme of the politics hence my title for my review - the book shoudl be A Political History of Modern Britain.

I was also a bit disappointed that more detail was not given to decimalisation (a couple of lines) which as an 11 year old I remember very clearly - surely that was a political hot potato worthy of more discussion?

As for the reviewer who complained it was like A-level History, well I didn't do that and for me the depth of the writing was enough, but I accept that perhaps the book is very superficial, though I have to say highly enjoyable.

These comments would not have made me drop a star in my rating, but the appalling typos I am afraid do, so 4 not 5.

Well worth reading though despite my tiny reservations.