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The Making of Modern Britain

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The Making of Modern Britain

By: Andrew Marr
Narrated by: David Timson
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About this listen

In The Making of Modern Britain, Andrew Marr paints a fascinating portrait of life in Britain during the first half of the 20th century as the country recovered from the grand wreckage of the British Empire.

Between the death of Queen Victoria and the end of the Second World War, the nation was shaken by war and peace. The two wars were the worst we had ever known and the episodes of peace among the most turbulent and surprising. As the political forum moved from Edwardian smoking rooms to an increasingly democratic Westminster, the people of Britain experimented with extreme ideas as they struggled to answer the question 'how should we live?' Socialism? Fascism? Feminism?

Meanwhile, fads such as eugenics, vegetarianism and nudism were gripping the nation, and the popularity of the music hall soared. It was also a time that witnessed the birth of the media as we know it today and the beginnings of the welfare state.

Beyond trenches, flappers and Spitfires, this is a story of strange cults and economic madness, of revolutionaries and heroic inventors, sexual experiments and raucous stage heroines. From organic food to drugs, nightclubs and celebrities to package holidays, crooked bankers to sleazy politicians, the echoes of today's Britain ring from almost every chapter.

©2016 Andrew Marr (P)2016 Macmillan Digital Audio
19th Century 20th Century Great Britain Military War Royalty Imperialism King Interwar Period England Winston Churchill Ireland
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What listeners say about The Making of Modern Britain

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

No fan of Churchill

An interesting and insightful take on the evolution of Britain from top dig to also -ran. At times opinionated and brutal, Marr casts a healthy fresh light on many elements John Bull patriots would rather be swept under the carpet.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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informative and entertaining

great book. highly informative and well read. however, the editing could be better. for example, the breaks between words tend to be longer than the breaks between chapters so you often don't even notice one had ended until you twig the no-sequiturs

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Great listen

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I would recommend it for anybody who is interested in a this time period

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History

Where does The Making of Modern Britain rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best. And will be relistened to over and over

What other book might you compare The Making of Modern Britain to, and why?

The History of Modern Britain by same author, which deals with the after war years.

What about David Timson’s performance did you like?

Very clear and easy to listen to.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh at parts of this book, but also made me take a deep look at our Country's history

Any additional comments?

Great book. Would suggest listening to this before The History of Britain

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable listen.

Great book and narrative. The narrator was easy to listen to and the book is informative and interesting.

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    4 out of 5 stars

great listen

listened to it whilst on holiday so will 're listen as I would close my eyes, immerse myself in the story and smooth voice then realised that is missed half hour here and there with a nap

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful and informative

If you could sum up The Making of Modern Britain in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, factual, wonderful

What did you like best about this story?

This is a wonderful detailed but quick paced look at the making of Modern Britain. The gradual change of the British and the events that sparked them.

Which character – as performed by David Timson – was your favourite?

Winston Churchill plays a massive role throughout most of this book, appearing at various points and you can hear him in the quotes.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's not emotional. Just interesting.

Any additional comments?

This is a really well put together book. Has lots of facts but never dull. It covers subjects in enough detail and the way the book links all the major points in British history is very smart. I learnt a lot. This is like the best ever history lesson. Very very well read also. Shall move onto the other book from the War until present day.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely superb!

Very accessible, informative and wryly amusing. Great storytelling really brings it to life. I really enjoyed it.

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Great listen

Performance is very easy to follow. Energetic but not exaggerated.

I loved the fact that it's not a "history for dummies" kind of book. It goes beyond politics and wars (though it includes them off course) to try and describe the british society as a whole during that period.

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1 person found this helpful

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A Well Made Book

Although much of the basic material is well known, Andrew Marr adds interesting, well-chosen details which lead to potentially unusual interpretations: roads less travelled. David Timson's narration is excellent.

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