What I'm Reading

Over Christmas you need a good book to dip into as a break from the non-stop eating, rubbish telly and games of Monoply. This Andrew Marr book is just the job. Its over 600 pages long and is perfect for dipping into. Its got the perfect balance of fact, observation and insightful commentary that makes it engaging and informative. Really enjoyable.

I'm up to 1970 where Heath has just been elected. What strikes me so far is how many of the issues we debate today stretch back many generations: our relationship with America and mainland Europe, the decline of our manufacturing base, how to handle immigration, Rhodesia / Zimbabwe, our education system, etc. Its clear that all the post war governments - all the way back to Attlee and Churchill - have tried and ultimately failed to resolve them.

Its also obvious that although we're in the midst of a recession today, Britain always seems to be teetering on the brink of disaster. Rationing continued for many years after the war and in so-called Golden Era of the 60s our economy was a disaster we had to devalue the pound. We always seem to come through it.

It may be viewed as a little superficial for hard-core historians but I'm loving 'A History of Modern Britain'. Highly recommended.