Recommended Reading for British Isles

If you're including Scotland, the spectacular/dense historical novels of Dorothy Dunnett. Her series "starring" Francis Lymond is based in 1540-something Scotland, lots of locales in and intrigue with England, France, beyond. First one is The Game of Kings. The whole series would be in my desert island box.

John O'Farrell's "An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge" gets my vote. It covers Roman Britain to the end of World War II with dry wit. It won't be on required university reading lists, but it will hold your interest and cover the high (and low) points of British history. You will certainly know who Edward II was.

I'm a great fan of Bill Bryson's books - Notes from a Small Island & The Road to Little Dribbling. Not so much history, but lots of his commentary on Britain.

History of Britain - Simon Schama

There are so many amazing books about Britain and its history, it would be easier if i new what area ylu were interested in?

I'm not particularly keen on Bryson's books on Britain, especially the second one. They have rather too much of a smell of "American angry that Britain isn't exactly like it was in 1950/1890/1810/1610/some-completely-imaginary-Hollywood-era".

Emma beat me to it: Rutherford is excellent.

Editing to add that Rick Steves' travel articles section has some ideas for reading and watching https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england/books-movies.

I'm with Emma and Laurel! I'm re-reading or actually re-listening to the Audio book of Sarum. I had read all 3 of those books years ago and have started back thru them. I will admit I have trouble getting thru the first chapters featuring the Prehistoric folks but push thru because it gets much better!

I also just visited Edinburgh so I'm re-reading Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series. This is a sweet look at Edinburgh and it's residents - IF you are going to visit there.

When you say the British Isles tour do you mean Rick's Best of England tour? If so, it starts in Bath so Jane Austen might be in order if you enjoy her literary style.

Sarum is excellent, but I would also suggest Pillars of the Earth for insight into cathedral building.

I can't believe it took 10 posts before someone mentioned Pillars of the Earth. I just suggested it to a friend who was headed to Europe for the first time last month and he texted me halfway through his trip to thank me. I'm on the third in the series, as is my wife who has been hooked as well. It's easier for me to retain the history when I have great characters to relate it to.

For non fictional books I enjoyed Michael Wood's 'In Search of England', which in itself was partly inspired by H V Morton's 'In Search of England'. Morton wrote several books in the series so there is also an 'In Search of Scotland'. Woods book covers the histories of various locations throughout England, while Mortons covers a drive through the country at the beginning of popularity of motor touring. There is also a book, which I fear is now out of print (second hand copies are available via Amazon) by John Hillaby, 'Journey through Britain' in which he walks from Lands End to John O'Groats.

The Morton and Hillaby books are snapshots of the country at the time they were written - only echoes remain in the present - and are older 'Notes from a Small Island' in style, though not as funny! Not intentionally at any rate!

Another vote for Simon Schama's three volume history of Britain.

Also, A History of the English Speaking Peoples by Winston Churchill.

Back Roads of Britain if you plan on a rental car and drive tour of Britain.

Anything by Ian Mortimer, especially "The Greatest Traitor." If you have the time and access to it, Michael Wood's TV series "The Great British Story."

Bryson is a bit of a whiner, not sure about the authenticity of his anecdotes.