A Short History Of England |
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A Short History Of England
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by G. K Chesterton
Sales Rank: 1500115
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List Price: $28.95
$28.95
At Amazon
on 6-22-2008.
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Features
Cover Type: Paperback with 248 pages
Published by: Loman Press February 22, 2008
Written in: English
ISBN 10 Number: 140868148X
ISBN 13 Number: 978-1408681480
Book Dimensions:
8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
Weighs: 11.2 ounces
Product Description
INTRODUCTION. So many writers have already dealt with the history of the district forming the subject of the following chapters, that some justification must be attempted for going over the ground again. One of two different objects, it seems to nie, ought to be kept in view in compiling a summary of the history of any province. On the one hand, a writer may devote himself to collecting and repeating the traditions lingering among the people, and transcribing events from the narratives of former chroniclers, without making too searching inquiry into the evidence on which they rest. On the other hand, he may venture to reject such local lore as will not endure critical analysis, and, working in the light of the research which during the last two centuries has been so patiently and fruitfully directed on the records of the past, apply himself to sift what is authentic from what rests. only on hearsay, and confine himself to preparing what shall be a concise and trustworthy, even though it may be a dry, narrative of such events as are capable of historic proof. It is the latter of these objects that I have set before me. Recent and abler writers have yieIded to the fascination of romantic legend and shadorvy tradition, and if, as is not unlikely, disappointment be encountered by those who shall search these pages in vain for such charming incidents as that of Rruce and the Spider, or such blood - curdling episodes as the execution of hlaclellan of Homby by the Black Douglas, my excuse lies in the absence of satisfactory evidence to the alleged facts. The bias of early historians niay be traced in the contradictory accounts they give of the same incidents, and the dawn of literature in our land was too feeble to allow fables, errors, or falsehoods to be nailed to the courlter at once. Indeed it is not the nature of these myths to spring into existence full - feathered. They are the product of slow incubation and gradual fledging. The wild stories told by Blind Harry about Wallace, and by Boece and Buchanan about Bruce, have no place in the earlier chronicles. Statements in the chronicles themselves must often be taken with great reserve with how much greater reserve must those stores be accepted which have passed from lip to lip of generations, without even the frail check upon human prejudice and passion which is provided by the printing-press and editors desk. But the time is not unfitting for an impartial and dispassionate review of the course of events and social change in Dumfriesshire and Galloway, concise enough to be within reach of those connected with the south west, conscientious enough to be relied on as a text book for easy reference, and leaving undisturbed, save where necessity arises for dispelling fallacy, the accumulations of fable and tradition which have gathered over the past. The ballad literature of the south-west is so profuse and picturesque, and so closely Ivovcn into the true story of our country, that 1 have found it difficult to refrain from quoting it at greater length than I have done. But to have indulged in wide excursions in the field so thoroughly worked by Allan Cunning ham, Sir Walter Scott, and the late Professor Veitch, would have swelled the present work far beyond its prescribed scope and size
Reader Reviews
This review is from: A Short History of England (Paperback)
Gilbert Keith Chesterton is certainly one of the most entertaining, and important, authors in the English language. This particular volume covers quickly, yet completely, the history of England from early Roman times to the time of the Great War, World War I. Chesterton is a man, I suspect, who would have been very hard to dislike. Though brilliant, he always approached his many opponents with a keen sense of fun and empathy. But he is certainly a writer who, though sometimes challenging, is always enjoyable. This wonderful, short, and thoroughly readable book can really be seen as a layman's philosophical representation of the great arc of English history. To grasp Chesterton's wit and wisdom entirely, it is probably important to have at least a nodding familiarity with English history before reading the book. But, so armed, the reader will be delighted with G.K.'s retelling of the great events of England, together with his insightful commentary relative to their import. Particularly poignant is Chesterton's rendering of the martydom of Saint Joan of Arc. He avers that, at one time or another, perhaps all British soldiers would have traded places with the common British infantryman who broke his spear to make a cross for the dying Saint. This section alone is worth the price of the entire book.
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A Short History Of England
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Price: $28.95
Updated on 6-22-2008.
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