Hope and Glory: Britain in the Twentieth Century

Contrary to title, this is still very much a conventional political History of England, developments in Scotland and Irelend receiving the barest of mentions and only in connection with English affairs. It's the usual politics first approach, with some snippets of information about leading literary figures, cultural fads and the like. But the information offered is solid, clear and broaches upon all relevant issues. Therefore, a first-class historical handbook, if not very daring in its approach of the subject.

Clarke seems to incorporate almost all the major points of British history and in a simple detail that puts many a history professor to shame. He includes the Irish, and talks honestly about the Scottish, as well as the Welsh. he does not leave out what is ugly about this nation, which former authors have done repeatedly. He does not apologize but lays it out there for everyone to think upon for themselves. The American Anglo connection is stressed as he works his way through the parliament and its evolution in the last 90 years. When I lived in Britain and studied I only found out about the history Clarke writes about from cabby's.