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Reviews
A magisterial, sweeping new history... Its strength lies not so much in its generalisations and conclusions as in its welter of colourful detail and insidious anecdote, mostly apposite
James is a well-informed guide to the past, conducting us on a tour from Chaucer to Thatcher. He has a sharp eye for detail
An enchanting compendium of the games the English play, and the anxieties, frictions and resentments engendered in the pursuit of status
A rollicking, affectionate romp through seven centuries that provokes much thought... well written and an enjoyable read
Full of fascinating quotations and figures
[A] magisterial, sweeping new history of the middle class in Britain . . . Amirable
Our editor's favourite book of the season. Unputdownable
Those who buy this book will find something to intrigue them on almost every page
James is a well-informed guide to that past, conducting us on a tour from Chaucer to Thatcher... He has a sharp eye for detail
Those who buy this book will find something to intrigue them on almost every page
Scholarly yet entertaining
Gripping and illuminating... a celebration which is hugely overdue
Readable and full of fascinating quotations and figures
Wonderful... one of those volumes which should be buried in a time-capsule for the benefit of future civilisations