Bloody Foreigners
by Robert Winder
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Description
Immigration is one of the most important stories of modern British life, yet it has been happening since Caesar first landed in 53 BC. Ever since the first Roman, Saxon, Jute and Dane leaped off a boat we have been a mongrel nation. Our roots are a tangled web. From Huguenot weavers fleeing French Catholic persecution in the 18th century to South African dentists to Indian shopkeepers; from Jews in York in the 12th century (who had to wear a yellow star to distinguish them and who were show more shamefully expelled by Edward I in 1272) to the Jamaican who came on board the Windrush in 1947. The first Indian MP was elected in 1892, Walter Tull, the first black football player played (for Spurs and Northampton) before WW1 (and died heroically fighting for the allies in the last months of the war); in 1768 there were 20,000 black people in London (out of a population of 600,000 - a similar percentage to today). The 19th century brought huge numbers of Italians, Irish, Jews (from Russia and Poland mainly), Germans and Poles. This book draws all their stories together in a compelling narrative. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
An enjoyable and exhilerating romp through the social history of Britain, with plenty to amaze, delight, and sadden, too .. also many a sweeping statement which makes you wonder about the accuracy of Winder's research, sometimes. But he forges an ultimately uplifting tale out of a melee of often entertaining but sometimes frankly disturbing and embarrasing facts.
An interesting book about migration to Britain throughout the ages. The author writes in an enjoyable way about events and, more specifically, the people that have made Britain the place it is today.
A wonderful exploration of the British Isles and its constantly shifting patterns of nationalities. A history of our lineage, diversity and strength.
The story of the way Britain has been settled and influenced by foreign people and ideas is as old as the land itself. In its original important and inspiring book, Robert Winder tells the remarkable migrations that have founded and defined a nation.
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Published Reviews
Immigration is one of the most important stories of modern British life, yet it has been happening since Caesar first landed in 53 BC. Ever since the first Roman, Saxon, Jute and Dane leaped off a boat we have been a mongrel nation. Our roots are a tangled web. From Huguenot weavers fleeing French Catholic persecution in the 18th century to South African dentists to Indian shopkeepers; from show more Jews in York in the 12th century (who had to wear a yellow star to distinguish them and who were shamefully expelled by Edward I in 1272) to the Jamaican who came on board the Windrush in 1947. The first Indian MP was elected in 1892, Walter Tull, the first black football player played (for Spurs and Northampton) before WW1 (and died heroically fighting for the allies in the last months of the war); in 1768 there were 20,000 black people in London (out of a population of 600,000 - a similar percentage to today). The 19th century brought huge numbers of Italians, Irish, Jews (from Russia and Poland mainly), Germans and Poles. This book draws all their stories together in a compelling narrative. show less
added by Taphophile13
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Non-Fiction Worth Reading
1,015 works; 261 members
Jim's recs
3 works; 1 member
Author Information
10+ Works 435 Members
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Sociology
- DDC/MDS
- 325.41 — Society, Government, and Culture Political science International migration and colonization Europe British Isles -- Scotland and Ireland
- LCC
- JV7620 .W56 — Political Science Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration Colonies and colonization. Emigration and Emigration and immigration. International Europe
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 268
- Popularity
- 120,167
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.78)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
