What is Britishness? What makes Americans admire the guts, traditions and loyalties of these island Anglo-Saxon and Celtic peoples? This volume brings to life the character and frustrations so carefully studied by allies and enemies for twenty-one centuries - from Romans to al-Qaeda.  Following the thought-provoking style of the original This Sceptred Isle , this new volume brings to life the character and frustrations so carefully studied by allies and enemies for twenty-one centuries - from Romans to al-Qaeda. Here Lee makes all the connections with institutions and changing industrial and social characteristics that even show us that Britishness is not exclusively British. At a time when a major section of the British, the English, appear to be less and less sure who they are and who they are meant to be, This Sceptred Isle confirms who it is we really are.

Synopsis

What allowed one small island group to rule a quarter of the world and, even today, to have the most spoken language after Chinese? What makes Americans admire the guts, traditions and loyalties of these island Anglo-Saxon and Celtic people? What is it that makes cynical Europeans and once-dominated Asians look to the British for opinion, literature, social norms and justice? The answers lie within the creation of British institutions, both Commoner and Aristocracy, during the past 2000 years.

About the Author

Christopher Lee is a writer, historian and broadcaster, best-known for writing the radio documentary series 'This Sceptred Isle' for the BBC. Lee was the first Quatercentenary Fellow in Contemporary History and Gomes Lecturer in Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He has written nearly 30 books and more than 70 radio plays. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation