5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth About The English Speaking People

R.C. · May 3, 2007

Unlike the one-star reviewers who either didn't bother to read this book at all or just read the three or four pages dealing with George Bush, I have read all 649 pages - every word. Having read the entire work I now fully understand why the Lefties really hate this book. Roberts has the unmitigated gall to use quotations, statistics, and historic facts to trace the development and contributions of the English Speaking Peoples. He points out their many contributions to society as a whole but worst of all using quotations and facts he demonstrates that the political left in the English Speaking Countries has been absolutely wrong 100% of the time on every issue they have supported, especially communism, socialism, and appeasement. He not only recognizes the strength of democracy but he compounds that sin by pointing out that capitalism is good - in fact he notes that the English Speaking Peoples are only a little more than 7% of the world population but account for 30% of the world GDP. He attacks the moral equivalency so popular with the left who insist on equating Guantanamo to the USSR Gulags. This is a history book that is clearly not politically correct because it paints the unvarnished truth regarding the strength and essential goodness of the English Speaking Peoples. He acknowledges the absolute power politically, economically, and militarily of the English Speaking People and how that strength has consistently been used for the good of all peoples. It was America that saved Europe on two separate occasions and that Africa was a safer and happier place under British Rule than it is today. That fact alone is enough to send the average leftie into a mouth frothing fit, but since the British left Africa it has been a very sad place indeed.While this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, Andrew's command of the English Language does not compare to Churchill's. Also the scope of the work is so broad that the reader is left wanting more details in some areas. But this is a very well researched book and Roberts uses his facts to great advantage and demonstrates that Americans and the English Speaking People have nothing to be ashamed of and that indeed we are the light for the world.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breathlesss Tour (de Force) of the Last Century

M. · December 11, 2007

This book was an exercise in ambition. Thankfully, for so many of us, the author was up to the challenge. To provide an overview of the the history of the English-speaking peoples -- and the peoples they affected -- over the last century and beyond is in essence, to provide an overview of a good deal of the history of the entire World. To weave strands of history into a cohesive story of how the English-speaking peoples have -- far more often than not -- being a force for good in a compelling and entertaining fashion required passion, research discipline with great attention to detail, and excellent writing skills. It required the passion, to challenge forcefully a broad range of "popular" denigrating assertions (whether anti-American, anti-Empire, e.g.), coming from both the Left and the Right. It also required a demonstrable commitment to detailed research over polemical rhetoric, in order to establish the plausibility of a claim without having to rely just on the plausibility of a big picture view. (And, I am sure that by doing that he probably laid an egg or two, but his errors of commission are minor.) And finally, it required being a pretty darn good writer, able to keep your interest from waning through the ups and downs of history. Greatly recommend to almost anybody. While it is much easier to like this book if you respect America/Britain AND G.W. Bush/Tony Blair, I would argue that this book should be even more interesting to anybody who respects America/Britain BUT hates G. W. Bush/Blair!

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and so far, really enjoying the book

T.B. · September 14, 2014

I have just started reading this book. I am not one to read history easily, sometimes puts me to sleep, or the author almost expects you to know what is going on before you read it, but this book is proving to be an interesting and easy to read book. I love history, and reading a book I can understand is a huge bonus for me. I have only read 40 or so pages into it so far, so I can't review on the whole book, but I have learned a lot just from the beginning few chapters on the Boar War, which takes up a good number of pages. I don't think I will be putting this down for a long time. I also am not a fast reader (well, to be more accurate, I have a lot of other things I do and don't always get time to read, so finishing a books takes a long time), so it may take me a few months to finish it, but I am looking forward to the journey. Oddly enough, I bought this book a little before I received another copy in the mail of the same book from a friend, published by the Folio Society, and I am reading that particular book, but the story is the same. The only one thing that gets old (for me), is the author keeps referring to the "English Speaking People" as the "English Speaking People", and having to read that particular phrase over and over gets a little too much after a while, but after I had thought about it, I am not sure he could say it any other way. Mentioning them as the 'English' would state them as English, but the English Speaking People encompass every one who speaks English, the Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians, etc. So be prepared for that, otherwise, a good book to get into.

1.0 out of 5 stars Book advertised as new

j. · December 4, 2021

I purchased this book as new. It arrived with a bold sharpie line on the bottom part of the book. Not appropriate for a new book and I was very disappointed.

Great history book on Anglo World

A.C. · May 31, 2023

Andrew Roberts is a great historian, even there are some points i do not agree with the author, its a great history book.

Confident Counterblast.

T.R. · December 16, 2016

A brilliant book and a thoroughly entertaining read. Nothing less than a broadside aimed at self-flagellating "progressives" who have undermined our culture. A quick peep at the one star reviews will tell you why this book is valuable and why you ought to read it.

A worthy but flawed volume

E. · September 25, 2011

I came to this book seeking knowledge and understanding of the events that shaped the English-speaking world in the 20th century and I found it comprehensive and very readable.However, the balance between verifiable fact and the author's opinions meant that, for me at least, it was less than satisfactory. Although I have none of the author's undoubted erudition, I was left with the enduring impression that he believes that the history of the English-Speaking Peoples belongs to the victors. It is not a view that I share.Buy this book by all means but do not use it as your only source of reference.

Five Stars

M. · October 26, 2016

Excellent book in brilliant hardback edition.

Good but a bit biased

A. · July 7, 2023

Good but a bit biased