Tracing the roots and development of the English nation
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In search of England seemed to be largely ignored by the newspaper review columns when it was published.Perhaps the absence of the usual accompanying tv series with a Michael Wood book gave it a lower profile.Whatever the reason,the lack of attention is disappointing as this book makes a significant contribution to the debate on English identity.Wood,of course,takes a historical perspective and through a series of essays traces the roots and development of the English nation and identity.Some of the chapters address the theme directly,others are more oblique,but it all hangs together very well and is written in clear and well-structured prose. I have only two minor complaints.Firstly,whilst most of Wood's arguments are convincing,occasionally he steps over the line and makes a speculative leap too far.Secondly,and this is just my personal taste,Wood uses too many of those irritating exclamation marks!Perhaps they are used to ensure the book retains a popular rather than academic feel.If so,Wood sells himself short as he is a good historian with a real understanding of his subject.
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A brilliant history of England and much more besides...
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All you would expect from Michael Wood, this is an informative, fascinating and above all accessible book. I found it practically unputdownable - no dry dusty history here, this is how it should be told, a story of the past and an idea of how that past still influences us today. Told by an author who's enthusiasm for his subject spills off the page, his book left me with a thirst to find out more. Thankfully Wood provides an excellent bibliography (as good a read as the chapters themselves...) to start us out on our own Search.
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