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A History of Modern Britain

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A History of Modern Britain

By: Andrew Marr
Narrated by: David Timson
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A History of Modern Britain by Andrew Marr confronts head-on the victory of shopping over politics. It tells the story of how the great political visions of New Jerusalem or a second Elizabethan Age, rival idealisms, came to be defeated by a culture of consumerism, celebrity and self-gratification. In each decade, political leaders think they know what they are doing, but find themselves confounded. Every time, the British people turn out to be stroppier and harder to herd than predicted.

Throughout, Britain is a country on the edge – first of invasion, then of bankruptcy, then on the vulnerable front line of the Cold War and later in the forefront of the great opening up of capital and migration now reshaping the world. This history follows all the political and economic stories, but deals too with comedy, cars, the war against homosexuals, Sixties anarchists, oil-men and punks, Margaret Thatcher’s wonderful good luck, political lies and the true heroes of British theatre.

20th Century Europe Great Britain Modern Politics & Government World War Imperialism Socialism England Funny Thought-Provoking Liberalism United Kingdom Middle East Capitalism Latin American Africa Iran Middle Ages Winston Churchill Soviet Union Cold War Taxation Social justice British Empire Self-Determination Modern Britain
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Critic reviews

Superb, colourful, outspoken, fresh and richly entertaining. Don’t miss.
Lively, full of rich anecdotes and sparkling pen portraits. He has the rare gift of being able to explain complex issues in a few crisp sentences.
All stars
Most relevant
Excellent weaving together of Britain's history, and well told. How about a follow up, Andrew?

Very good

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Certainly the most accessible and yet still detailed summary of modern Britain one could hope to find. I'd encourage all Britons to listen to this audiobook!

A comprehensive and fascinating listen!

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Informative, in depth insight into britains modern history. Marr is a great and clever author.

Excellent

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Absolutely loved this. It couldn't have been better in any way. I found it compulsive!

Brilliant

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Growing up in the automotive industry I have a natural hatred towards unions and labour. In this book I found a new faith in the ideals, efforts and despite how bad our situation really was in 1945 a Labour party who actually cared....
Where are those politicians now we need them

A History Lesson

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