A History of Britain Through Books

'A History of Britain Through Books: 1900-1964... is a charming, shrewd, informed rollcall of the most influential works of the period.' Max Hastings, The Times; 'From the death of Queen Victoria to the swinging sixties, this book about books is a tour de force. A deeply enjoyable read that takes us from The Riddle of the Sands to The Story of Art, from Suffragette Sally to Animal Farm. Christopher Tugendhat has written a unique guidebook to the society, politics and morals of a nation in flux. His is a voice of culture, humanity and tolerance, and a panacea for our troubled times.' Lucy Riall, author of Garibaldi: Invention of a Hero; 'This is a fascinating book full of stimulus and wisdom, which has found a special way of capturing not just the history but the smell and feel of Britain between the Boer War and the 1964 general election. It is the product of Christopher Tugendhat's well-primed mind meeting his well-stocked library in a highly original fashion.' Peter Hennessy, author of Secret State; 'Christopher Tugendhat channels the spirit of some of the nation's most interesting writers - iconic and avant garde, famous and forgotten - to invoke the age. This book is a rare species: a novel way of recording history.' John Bew, author of the Orwell Prize-winning Citizen Clem: A Life of Attlee; 'Christopher Tugendhat had the brilliant idea to write a history of Britain in the first half of the last century by discussing the books in his own library which throw light on different facets of social and political culture... An ideal introduction to recent British history.' Robert Skidelsky, author of John Maynard Keynes: 1883-1946