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This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1
- 55BC-1702: The Classic BBC Radio History
- Narrated by: Anna Massey, Paul Eddington, Peter Jeffrey, Roger May, Paul Jenkins, John Turner, Stephen Critchlow, Denys Hawthorne
- Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins
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This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1
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Summary
The first five volumes from the landmark BBC radio series This Sceptred Isle.
Christopher Lee's epic history tells the story of Britain from the Romans to the death of Victoria. This collection includes the original first five volumes:
55BC-1087: Julius Caesar to William the Conqueror
From Britannia under the Romans to the Dark Ages and the invasions of Angles, Saxons, Danes, and Norwegians.
1087-1327: The Making of the Nation
The Crusades, Welsh and Scottish rebellions and the foundations of the modern state - including Magna Carta and the fledgling English Parliament.
1327-1547: The Black Prince to Henry VIII
The Hundred Years' War, the Peasants' Revolt, the Wars of the Roses and the reign of Henry VIII.
1547-1660: Elizabeth I to Cromwell
Elizabeth I's long reign; the Civil War, the execution of Charles I and the establishment of Cromwell as Lord Protector.
1660-1702: Restoration and Glorious Revolution
The return of Charles II, the Great Plague and Great Fire of London, and a ruler from a different country on the throne: William of Orange.
The audio files for this title have been updated and they are now in the correct order.
Narrated by Anna Massey, with extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's A History of the English-Speaking Peoples read by Paul Eddington and Peter Jeffrey, this is the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation.
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What listeners say about This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- tyke
- 10-07-18
Fantastic
All you need to know about England her people politics and life makes me proud to be English !
Narrated brilliantly by Anna Massey, Paul Edington to name a few.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MJC
- 06-05-21
An excellent review of British history
Very clearly presented and beautifully narrated. An entertaining and informative summary of our history from Roman times to the death of William III.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 29-05-17
excellent
excellent. history was on radio 4. Very clear. Very easy to listen to. volume two also good.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Colin Jones
- 21-04-17
SOMEONE HAS BLUNDERED
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes but see below
What other book might you compare This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1 to, and why?
Collection 2
Have you listened to any of Anna Massey and Paul Eddington ’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Not relevant
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Only that I think Paul Eddington died or was seriously ill before he could finish the whole thing.
Any additional comments?
1 Why can't I review without answering above daft questions?
2 I downloaded to play on my MP3 and was a bit surprised to find the 1688 Glorious Revolution occurring before the Restoration in 1660. I think someone put the individual episodes together in the wrong order. I'll play Part 2 on random - it might make more sense.
Still the best way of being able to sound as if you know what you are talking about when answering quiz questions
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Stephen Howlett
- 03-08-17
Beautifully read
Really interesting and enjoyable to listen to. What a history this country has and I've learned so much from this book. The two orators have such clear voices that I could listen for hours. This book is easily worth five stars
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- FTM Doyle
- 03-05-17
Brilliant.
Would you listen to This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1 again? Why?
Yes. I've done so on a number of times, and no doubt will do so again. It helps me remember which Henry or which Edward did what in the Middle Ages; (I've always had problems with those Kings).
What did you like best about this story?
It is the best, most comprehensive, and interesting history of Britain, written or oral, I have possessed. One of the BBC's best ever productions.
What about Anna Massey and Paul Eddington ’s performance did you like?
Couldn't do better.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jen
- 19-09-22
Excellent overview
As always, the BBC are excellent at radio shows when they want to be. It’s enjoyable and accessible, unfortunately let down by lack of proper chapters/chapter headings by audible
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ellie
- 27-01-18
A gentle stroll through British history
This potted history of the British isles is an engaging whistle stop tour that begins with Julius Caesar landing on our shores and comes to rest as Queen Anne ascends the throne. Given the length and breadth of the subject matter and the sheer length of time it is covering, it is more of a superficial browse through the successive reigns of our kings and queens rather than a serious in depth re-telling of history. Nevertheless, it is easy listening and paints a cohesive timeline of events in very broad strokes, sometimes putting events in context and highlighting their impact in the ways that have survived to the present day. If you are an avid fan of any particular period of history, you may feel short-changed in the pencil sketch treatment of your favourite epoch, however, I defy any history buff not to be seduced by the clipped delivery of the narrators and the richness of the stories they tell.
As an additional note, as you reach the restoration of Charles II you may be surprised how the narration seems to speed past him with indecent haste. There is an error in the sequencing of the episodes where the restoration segment has been incorrectly inserted into the William of Orange chapters.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- SB RICHARDS
- 11-07-22
One of the best BBC radio shows
lost a star because someone messed up the chapters
great voice actors great if you need a history revise.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ms A Raney
- 19-11-23
Excellent, very thorough
Lots of great details and the chat if voices help to keep on track. It covers the basics but also gives a good look from different perspectives. Solid history reference, without opinion.
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