7 hours and 57 minutes
A History of Britain: Volume 1
Classics & Heritage
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A History of Britain: Audiobooks in Order
Few historians write with the sweep and swagger of Simon Schama, and A History of Britain is his grand tour of these islands, from ancient stones to modern statecraft. Volume 1, the instalment in our catalogue, covers the early chapters of that story across nearly eight hours, and listeners have responded emphatically: 563 ratings averaging 4.5 stars. This is narrative history in the fullest sense, written to be heard as much as read.
- 1 audiobooks
- 7 hours of listening
- 4.5/5 average (563 ratings)
- narrated by Timothy West
- Classics & Heritage
The A History of Britain audiobooks in order
Book 1
7 hours and 57 minutes
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7 hours and 57 minutes
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Series at a glance
| # | Title | Length | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A History of Britain: Volume 1 | 7 hours and 57 minutes | 4.5/5 (563) |
Why listen to A History of Britain?
Timothy West is the narrator here, and it is hard to imagine better casting. His weathered, authoritative delivery gives Schama’s prose exactly the gravitas it deserves, turning invasions, coronations and catastrophes into something close to fireside storytelling. At 7 hours and 57 minutes, Volume 1 is substantial without ever feeling daunting.Start right here at Volume 1. History rewards chronology, and this opening instalment lays the foundations everything later builds upon. In audio it suits long drives and Sunday afternoons particularly well, since the material unfolds in generous, self-contained movements. Anyone who has enjoyed a television documentary and wished it went deeper will feel at home, as will students wanting an engaging way into British history.
Clara’s verdict
★★★★★ 4.5/5
This one earns my confidence. An average of 4.5 stars across 563 ratings is a properly robust sample, and it matches my own instincts about the pairing: Schama’s muscular storytelling delivered through Timothy West’s superb voice. If I am nitpicking, the density of names and dates occasionally demands a rewind, which is the price of ambition. For listeners who want British history with both scholarship and style, this is an easy recommendation.
Clara Whitmore, Founder & Literary Critic
Frequently asked questions
How many audiobooks are in the A History of Britain series?
Our catalogue lists 1 A History of Britain audiobooks, adding up to around 7 hours of listening.
Which A History of Britain audiobook should I start with?
Start with A History of Britain: Volume 1, the first book in the series.
Who narrates the A History of Britain audiobooks?
Most of the series is narrated by Timothy West.
Are the A History of Britain audiobooks worth listening to?
Across the series, listeners average 4.5/5 from 563 ratings on Audible and Amazon.
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