'A History of Britain (Vol I) - At the edge of The World? 3000BC-AD1603' by Simon Schama

As the title suggests, this book takes something of a broad perspective on early British history. Not that this is necessarily to its detriment, it reads more like a novel than a typical historical work. That is a credit to Schama who livens up a subject which often drives people away with dry prose and even drier analysis.

It moves quickly through the neolithic and Roman periods and onto medieval history. It seems that this is the real highlight for Schama, his enthusiasm for his work is most notable when he writing about instability. His superb deconstruction of Richard II during the peasants revolt is a prime example of this. However, he is sensible enough to avoid the mistake of dividing British history into 'good' and 'bad' monarchs.

Case studies are provided to act as background to the narrative. Eyewitness accounts of Thomas Becket's various disputes with Henry II being particularly impressive. Another example is the dark humour of the portrait of the 'Three living and three dead', an especially poignant work about the black death. Schama's background as an art historian undoubtedly influenced the images selected for the book.

There are several moments where it seems that there will be a shift towards a more conventional telling, especially during the section on Edward I. Nonetheless, he is quick to address this with acknowledgements that both sides committed atrocities during that conflict. He does well to shy away from the Braveheart perspective on William Wallace, who was in fact just as coldly ruthless as Edward.

Understandably, he treads carefully as we reach the Tudor period. Perhaps the most well-known of all parts of British history, Schama sticks closely to fact and is not given to romanticising Henry VIII in particular. Many recent depictions of the Tudors have played on the idea that it was an era of frivolous courtly love spoilt by the odd religious schism. That view is given short shrift as we are quickly introduced to the ruthlessness of Henry, Edward VI and Mary. The harrowing section on the death of Anne Boleyn being a particular highlight.

Fortunately he is also not given to glorifying Elizabeth I. He recognises her immense contribution towards religious healing in Britain but also sees that she was often maddeningly indecisive, especially when dealing with the many threats on her life. He recognises that when 'Gloriana' was at the peak of her powers, she was indeed a formidable monarch but that, as she went into decline, she was used by those closest to her.

There is no doubt that this reflects the balanced nature of the first volume of this work. Though there are many ways in which it is a conventional telling of early British history it does not shy away from occasional revisionism. Schama makes the point very early on that it is a personal history, not meant as definitive and it certainly does not feel at any point as if the reader is being dictated to. He is often condemned for being middle-brow but the length of the bibliography at the back should put paid to those assumptions.

Not only a fine academic work but a brilliant read. That is not a sentence I write very often.