Just finished reading …

Excellent book. The best historians - from this lay person’s point of view - are a mixture of storyteller, compiler and agent provocateur. They work all the angles, and there are some great angles in this volume with themed chapters that really bring the period to life. I loved the balance between big names and the descriptions of ordinary peoples’ lives, and great events and  everyday travails. The William and Mary chapter is particularly interesting because it was such a turning point for future democracy; James II tried to harden the absolute authority of the monarchy whereas his successors allowed freedoms to emerge.

Anyway a good book and a relaxed day apart from getting up at 4.30am …