Innovation: The History of England Volume VI (The History of England, 9)

with amazing timing this arrived on Jubilee Day! Oh dear, as with volume 5 the high quality of Peter Ackroyd's writing is NOT MATCHED by production. I have the full 6 volume set in paperback. The first 4 are under the Pan imprint and faultless but the lat 2 are under the Pan sub-imprint, Picador, and are SHODDY! I have already reported that volume 5 was produced on cheap (recycled - bravo) paper with black and white printed reproductions of the illustrations. At least they were all there. Volume 6 has full colour plates but the first 17 photos are missing (but listed).So the book doesn't get the full 5 stars - not for the content but for the lousy production. Pan/Picador should be ashamed to produce these books so badly. It isn't easy to contact Mr Ackroyd but I'm going to try to do so and tell him to get his agent to find him a publisher that bothers with quality control

prompt delivery, easy to use and comfortable

A good history of the 20th century although I found it less easy to read than the other volumes in the series but recommended

I have read the six volumes, and like the other volumes, Peter Ackroyd continues to summarise key historical observations in short digestible chapters, this time from 1900 to 2000. The readable chapters range from major political events to changes in science and the arts. Reading the volumes, it is clear that political and health crises are not a new feature of English history.

As usual a great insight

Brought as a present recipient loved it.