England

Widely praised when it first appeared, "England: A Concise History" is a superbly illustrated volume which presents the history of England in a form short enough to be grasped - and seen - as a whole. The author emphasizes the achievements and constructive features of English history - above all, the evolution of democratic institutions and the creation of a social order strengthened by extensions of liberty, tolerance and freedom of speech. He clearly identifies his central theme: the successful reconciliation of order and liberty in English life and society. Stonehenge, the Norman Conquest, Magna Carta, the Wars of the Roses, the Spanish Armada, the Civil Wars, the 'Year of Victories', Nelson and Trafalgar, Churchill, Thatcher - here are the key events, places and personalities of English history, brought together in the perfect introduction to a fascinating subject.