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The Britannias

An Island Quest
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( 40 ratings, 3 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Britannias by Alice Albinia intertwines history and militaristic themes to explore the impact of Britain's imperial past. Through a detailed narrative, the book delves into the rich tapestry of the nation's history, examining its rise as a global power and the subsequent legacies left behind. Albinia's work offers a deeply researched perspective on the cultural and historical intersections that have shaped modern Britain.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the complex and intertwined history of Britain and its empire, exploring pivotal events and figures that shaped the modern world. With insights into military strategies and historical narratives, you will be captivated by the depth and richness this work brings to the understanding of Britain's past.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Britannias tells the story of Britain's islands and how they are woven into its collective cultural psyche. From Neolithic Orkney to modern-day Thanet, Alice Albinia explores the furthest reaches of Britain's island topography, once known (wrote Pliny) by the collective term, Britanniae.

Sailing over borders, between languages and genres, trespassing through the past to understand the present, this book knocks the centre out to foreground neglected epics and subversive voices.

The ancient mythology of islands ruled by women winds through the literature of the British Islesβ€”from Roman colonial-era reports, to early Irish poetry, Renaissance drama to Restoration utopiasβ€”transcending and subverting the most male-fixated of ages.

The Britannias looks far back into the past for direction and solace, while searching for new meaning about women's status in the body politic. Boldly upturning established truths about Britain, it pays homage to the islands' beauty, independence, and their suppressed or forgotten histories.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

i>The Britannias by Alice Albinia has been praised for its brilliant and artful exploration of the British Isles, weaving together historical scholarship with poetic imagination. The book is described as both dazzling and illuminating, offering a narrative that captivates with tales of women rulers and mythical elements. Albinia’s engaging prose and adventurous spirit bring a unique perspective to the concept of "island mentality," portraying it as a source of progressive and magical thinking rather than a limitation.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241669631

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 19 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Allen Lane

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 162.0mm

Height: 241.0mm

Weight: 877g

Pages: 512

About the Author

Alice Albinia is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction. Her books include Empires of the Indus- The Story of a River and Cwen, set on an archipelago which comes under female rule, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction and Scotland's National Book Awards. Albinia has worked as an editor and journalist, writing for publications including the Guardian, Financial Times and National Geographic. She has taught writing in Orkney for the Islands' Council, at King's College London and the University of Kent.

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