1 . English history is vast, from its rule under the Romans to the rise, heights and decline of the British Empire. When choosing a book to recommend on my country’s history, I wanted something that could summarize this sweeping history but didn’t get stuck in the details of things that hold me back from thoroughly engaging with this truly rich history. Then, I found Dominic Haynes’ A Brief History of England. It had just what I was looking for and was a real joy to read.
The book is a whistle-stop tour through the whole of English history, from its earliest people to the movement of settlers from Europe. It looks at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Elizabeth I’s reign (统治) and the lasting impact of Shakespeare. Then it touches on the English Civil Wars and the shift of rule from kings and queens to the parliament (议会) running the country and the establishment of the political parties of the Whigs (辉格党) and Tories (托利党) still functioning today in some form as the currently ruling Conservative Party (保守党). It also covers the Napoleonic Wars and the world wars and even contemplates (思考) England’s post-Brexit (脱欧后的) present and future.
This really is quite the sweeping tome. However, it’s very short. This means it’s easy to navigate and get a hold of a huge amount of history, but it also means it’s very light on the details. At times, this can be frustrating, as there are parts where it feels like just another paragraph or page would really elevate this book. But for an introduction to English history or perhaps a reminder or refresher, it’s great and particularly useful as it is likely to fill in some gaps in your knowledge.
Furthermore, because of the pace of the book, there’s not a dull moment. It’s a real page-turner, covering the succession (交替) of kings and queens, wars, famines (饥荒) and changes in the social order of the country at home and the country’s influence across the world.
One reviewer on Amazon described the book as “a small masterpiece”, and said, “This is a great book for anyone who wants to get a crash course in English history or for those who want a quick reference to that subject.”
So, jump in, dear readers, and get a hold of what made England what it was, what it went on to be, and where it may stand in our global future.
1. What is the main focus of Dominic Haynes’ A Brief History of England?| A．Detailed exploration of England’s political parties. |
| B．An introduction to the British Empire’s rise and fall. |
| C．A brief overview of England’s historical shifts and events. |
| D．In-depth analysis of England’s post-Brexit policies. |
| A．Its pace is slow and frustrating. |
| B．There’s a shortage of information on wars. |
| C．It dives too deeply into political complexities. |
| D．It lacks detailed information due to its shortness. |
| A．A book that is exciting to read. | B．A book that has lots of pages to turn. |
| C．A book that is easy to understand. | D．A book that is complicated. |
| A．Jump into the UK’s past. | B．The ebb and flow of the UK. |
| C．The significance of studying the UK’s history. | D．The UK, you always live in people’s hearts. |
| A．In a bookstore. | B．In a library. | C．In a classroom. |
3 . Do you want to give your child the best start in life？ Helping him to become a good, confident reader is one of the most valuable things you can do. These simple little things below take up your little time.
● Let your kid "catch" you reading. Buy a mystery novel or a fashion magazine the
next time you're at the grocery store. Maybe you guess it．
● Ask your child about what he's reading at school and at home.
care about your child and get your child to talk about what his class is reading. If time is short, you can even do this on the drive home from school or while you're getting dinner ready．
● There are words all around. Point them out!
and the backs of boxes. Point them out to your child. Ask him if he can read a word
you've both just seen, and if he doesn't know what it means, make a point of looking it
up in a dictionary when you get home．
●
| A．Turn bedtime into "story time"． |
| B．But they can help develop your child into a good reader and writer． |
| C．Move your child into reading independently． |
| D．Words are on subway signs and the sides of buses． |
| E．That just lets your kid see you reading and enjoying it． |
| F．Most kids love to talk when their parents are paying much attention． |
| G．However, they can make a big difference if your child is struggling to learn to read． |
