Publisher's Synopsis
What are the 80 things we are most proud of; what defines Britishness? This book nominates 80 British greats - ideas, inventions, accomplishments, monuments, artistic and cultural movements and figures - from the beginning of our history to the present day. The controversial and eclectic mix of subjects will evoke our nations heritage and unique character, celebrating Britain at its very best. A wealth of high-profile contributors and specialists have contributed essays on a wide array of subjects - such as Joseph Connolly on James Bond, Robert Hardy on the longbows of Againcourt, Andrew Roberts on the speeches of Winston Churchill, Alexander Walker on the Ealing comedies, Will Hutton on Keynesian economics, Ian Rankin on Punk, Len Deighton on the Battle of Britain, Richard Dawkins on The Origins of Species, Michael Palin on the Saturday afternoon football results and Rick Stein on fish and chips. All the essays are complemented by a diverse selection of pictures - paintings, photos, manuscripts, cartoons - making this a must have for anyone interested in British history and culture.
