James Hawes takes on the ambitious task of condensing 2,000 years of English history into a compact, readable format in "The Shortest History of England." The result is a fast-paced, insightful overview that manages to capture the essence of England’s complex past while maintaining an engaging narrative.

Hawes traces the country’s history through the lens of its persistent north-south divide and the entrenched class system, offering readers a fresh perspective on events that have shaped England. From the Magna Carta to Brexit, Hawes explores the cultural and political forces that have defined the nation, while also shedding light on lesser-known aspects, like the Anglo-Saxon warrior elite's exodus to the Byzantine Empire.

This book is perfect for readers who want to grasp the broad strokes of English history without wading through dense tomes. It’s informative without being overwhelming, making it accessible even for those new to the subject. The inclusion of maps and visuals adds to the clarity, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged.

However, while the book is an excellent primer, it might leave those seeking in-depth analysis wanting more. Some sections, particularly on more recent history, feel a bit rushed, but that’s perhaps inevitable in such a concise work. Nonetheless, "The Shortest History of England" is a brilliant introduction to England’s long and often turbulent history, ideal for both history buffs and casual readers alike.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have a bias against reading history books because they are usually overly detailed and long. I had to marvel at Hawes' ability to communicate a significant amount of information in a succinct way while still relying on artifacts and primary sources, and enough visuals and textual variances to keep the mind from wandering.

I love a good history book and this was one. It was concise and informative, This is great for people who want to learn about something but can not read a 1000 page book. Genius Idea.

Very much enjoyed the format of this title and the compact way it shared history over multiple centuries. It was readable and not overwhelming, but I also felt like I learned quite a bit.

Definitely curious about the other title by this author now, which always feels like a sign of a good book to me!

This wasn't unpleasant, but it was a little dry, and I kept forgetting to finish it. I would recommend it to people who want a quick history of England, but it wasn't a thrill.

Hawes really packed a lot of material into a neat little package. I found the pacing to be excellent, never lingering too long or drawing out a topic. It kept the extensive history of England flowing quickly and easily. It was very interesting and I think our Anglophile patrons will devour it.

Great overview for Anglophiles. I liked that Hawes framed events within one focus- south versus north, south versus everywhere else. This idea was new to me and the perspective helped me to understand history and current events a bit better.

I thought the pacing in this book was great, as it gives a fast-moving account of the history of England and doesn't linger too long in any one time period. However, the intended audience is clearly not novices. A lot of it would only resonate if you already have a working knowledge of a lot of the politics and wars in British history.
Also, I think I was expecting more of a social history, but instead it was centered on politics, foreign affairs, and economics.

The title, "The Shortest History of England," perfectly describes what this book delivers. It is a short, crisp history of an incredibly complicated country. Hawes' writing is crisp but delivers a good deal of information. Some of the history told will ring familiar if you're a fan of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," believe it or not. There were elements that seemed short-changed, like World War I and II, as well as current history which have had significant global impact (nary a mention of Teresa May, as an example). Still, this was an informative, enjoyable. read. Thanks to NetGalley and the Experiment for the opportunity to read this advance copy. #NetGalley #TheShortestHistoryofEngland

There’s a lot of ground to cover and James Hawes does it reasonably well. I liked the graphics and the maps; certainly the maps were very useful. I thought that the text was somewhat opinionated, especially as I reached the current time period. I would have preferred more objectivity. While the writing style is conversational, I did not find it as pleasing as the writing in “The Shortest History of China”. Overall, though, it was a worthwhile read. Thank you to Netgalley and The Experiment for the advance reader copy.