The History of England - Hardcover

Austen, Jane; Dickens, Charles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840467835 ISBN 13: 9781840467833

Publisher: Icon Books Ltd, 2006

Synopsis

Jane Austen and Charles Dickens are the quintessential English novelists, and their place among the very greatest authors is beyond dispute. Yet both also wrote histories of England, Austen as an adolescent satire and Dickens as an entertaining book for children. This book brings these fascinating pieces of historical writing together, providing two very different perspectives on the history of England. Jane Austen launches into her satirical history with breathtaking speed and a touching informality, wielding her trademark wit to summarise and satirise the career of every monarch from Henry IV to Charles I. It is also a rarely seen and revealing glimpse of Austen's precocious talent. Dickens's gory and dramatic history is full of villains and heroes. He sketches the lives of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I with typically flamboyant twists and turns. It is a hugely evocative piece, both of the history he conjures up and of the time in which he himself was writing. David Starkey's fascinating introduction explores the merits of each history. It is the perfect opening to two thoroughly engaging and enthralling histories of England.

About this title

Review:

'A lovely chocolate-box Christmas present of an edition...it
couldn't be anything other than a splendid read.' -- Scotland on Sunday

'Gilded and handsome...an enjoyable trinket to own.' -- New Statesman

'Gilded and handsome...filled with fine writing, and an enjoyable
trinket to own.' -- New Statesman

About the Author:

Despite being only moderately successful in her lifetime, Jane Austen's six novels are famous throughout the world for their distinctive style and gripping plots. Her novels and stories are regularly adapted for theatre, film and television. Charles Dickens's memorable characters and strong narrative style means that his work has been loved for the last 200 hundred years - and none of his books have ever gone out of print.

About this edition

• Publisher: Icon Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1840467835
• ISBN 13: 9781840467833
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208