Book description
In a brilliantly imaginative blend of military, social and diplomatic
history, Norman Longmate retells our island story from the perspective
of its defenders, in a narrative which stretches from the Celtic
tribes who unsuccessfully fought against Ceasar to the great seabourne
defence against the Armada of Philip of Spain.
He has gone back to the original sources and investigated the
original battlegrounds and weak spots in Britain's defences. But the
real strength of his book is its seamless narrative of history, which
uncovers the truth behind the legends. A mass of solidly researched
fact, not readily found elsewhere, is seasoned with lively, humorous
and occassionally gruesome anecdote.
The result, providing at once an invaluable sourcebook for the
specialist and an enthralling narrative for the general reader, is by
far the most comprehensive and accessible history of England versus
invasion ever published.
Norman Longmate was born in Newbury, Berkshire, and educated by
scholarship at Christ's Hospital, where he was deeply influenced by an
inspiring history teacher. After the war service in the army he read
modern history at Worcester College, Oxford. He subsequently worked as
a journalist in Fleet Street, as a producer of history programmes for
the BBC, and for the BBC Secretariat. In 1981 he was elected a Fellow
of the Royal Historical Society and in 1983 he left the BBC to become
a full-time writer.
Norman Longmate is the author of more than twenty books, mainly on
the Second World War and on Victorian social history, and of many
radio and television scripts on historical subjects. He has frequently
been employed as an historical adviser by film and television companies.
