A Child's History of England
by Charles Dickens
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This three-volume history of England from before the Roman conquest through to the Glorious Revolution of 1688 was originally serialised in Charles Dickens' magazine Household Words between 1851 and 1853. The text was published in book form in the same period, although each volume was post-dated to the following year. Dickens dedicated the work to his own children, intending it to be a stepping stone to more substantial histories. The volumes were popular with readers for decades, and were show more used in British schools well into the twentieth century. Dickens employs his signature style to bring events and personalities to life, making use of vivid similes, unabashedly partisan language and direct speech, as well as the occasional moral lesson. Volume 1 covers the period from the campaigns of Julius Caesar up to the close of the reign of the 'miserable brute' King John. show lessTags
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Quite interesting and informative. Reading these histories in conjunction with reading Shakespeare's history plays helped put things in perspective -- viewing these same kings from different generations and different motivations and viewpoints.
This is a history of England from Ancient England and the Romans through the reign of King James II. One chapter is devoted to each monarch. There weren't too many places where it seemed to be aimed at children, but I suppose children in Dickens' time had better attention spans than they do now. It was a bit dry at times, but as in all of Dickens' books, you can find humor if you're paying attention. Even though my copy was 500 pages, I also think a lot of my problem with the book was that it's just impossible to do justice to such a massive subject in so few pages. Much as I like Dickens, I only read this because it was included in a box of his books that I was given. I don't recommend it because I'm sure there are plenty of better show more books on the subject. show less
Dickens writing a history of England for his son. BORING!
Read in a Victorian edition -- tedious, tedious, tedious....
(Everyman's Library #291)
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Charles Dickens, perhaps the best British novelist of the Victorian era, was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England on February 7, 1812. His happy early childhood was interrupted when his father was sent to debtors' prison, and young Dickens had to go to work in a factory at age twelve. Later, he took jobs as an office boy and journalist before show more publishing essays and stories in the 1830s. His first novel, The Pickwick Papers, made him a famous and popular author at the age of twenty-five. Subsequent works were published serially in periodicals and cemented his reputation as a master of colorful characterization, and as a harsh critic of social evils and corrupt institutions. His many books include Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836, and the couple had nine children before separating in 1858 when he began a long affair with Ellen Ternan, a young actress. Despite the scandal, Dickens remained a public figure, appearing often to read his fiction. He died in 1870, leaving his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- A Child's History of England
- Original publication date
- 1851-3; 1853
- Dedication
- This CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND is dedicated to MY OWN DEAR CHILDREN whom I hope it may help, bye and bye, to read with interest larger and better books on the same Subject. Christmas 1851.
- First words
- If you look at a Map of the World, you will see, in the left-hand upper corner of the Eastern Hemisphere, two Islands lying in the sea.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)God Save The Queen!
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- Reviews
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- Dutch, English, German, Russian
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 90
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 86
