A Short History of England Review
Gilbert Keith Chesterton is certainly one of the most entertaining, and important, authors in the English language. This particular volume covers quickly, yet completely, the history of England from early Roman times to the time of the Great War, World War I. Chesterton is a man, I suspect, who would have been very hard to dislike. Though brilliant, he always approached his many opponents with a keen sense of fun and empathy. But he is certainly a writer who, though sometimes challenging, is always enjoyable.
This wonderful, short, and thoroughly readable book can really be seen as a layman's philosophical representation of the great arc of English history. To grasp Chesterton's wit and wisdom entirely, it is probably important to have at least a nodding familiarity with English history before reading the book. But, so armed, the reader will be delighted with G.K.'s retelling of the great events of England, together with his insightful commentary relative to their import.
Particularly poignant is Chesterton's rendering of the martydom of Saint Joan of Arc. He avers that, at one time or another, perhaps all British soldiers would have traded places with the common British infantryman who broke his spear to make a cross for the dying Saint. This section alone is worth the price of the entire book.
A Short History of England Overview
I. INTRODUCTION II. THE PROVINCE OF BRITAIN III. THE AGE OF LEGENDS IV. THE DEFEAT OF THE BARBARIANS V. ST. EDWARD AND THE NORMAN KINGS VI. THE AGE OF THE CRUSADES VII. THE PROBLEM OF THE PLANTAGENETS VIII. THE MEANING OF MERRY ENGLAND IX. NATIONALITY AND THE FRENCH WARS X. THE WAR OF THE USURPERS XI. THE REBELLION OF THE RICH XII. SPAIN AND THE SCHISM OF NATIONS XIII. THE AGE OF THE PURITANS XIV. THE TRIUMPH OF THE WHIGS XV. THE WAR WITH THE GREAT REPUBLICS XVI. ARISTOCRACY AND THE DISCONTENTS XVII. THE RETURN OF THE BARBARIAN
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