Never Had It So Good: A History of Britain from Suez to the "Beatles" - Britain in the Sixties: 1956-63 v. 1

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Dominic Sandbrook

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Pages: 848 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 0316860832

Pub: Little, Brown

Pub date: 2005-05-05

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 31249

Editorial Review:

Dominic Sandbrook's White Heat (subtitled A History of Britain in the Swinging Sixties) is a mesmerising piece of reportage -- detailed, authoritative and written with the kind of vividness that brings the period to vibrant life, both for those who lived through it, and for those to whom it is as remote as ancient history. And weighing in at nearly a thousand pages, it is as comprehensive as one could wish, dealing with revolutions in the arts (the Beatles, of course, are central -- and iconic -- figures here), as well as the relentless bloodletting in Northern Ireland, and political scandals in Westminster (the John Profumo/Christine Keeler affair being the most significant). The book quotes on it jackets Harold Wilson's much-repeated comment `Britain that is going to be forged in the white heat of this revolution' -- and Sandbrook, taking his title from this quote, makes the strongest possible case for this being a revolutionary period -- even if several of the revolutions involved (such as the hippie-inspired `Summer of Love') actually came to nothing. The changes in society during this period were seismic: cultural and political (as mentioned above), but also technological. In the sports arena, Britain featured a resounding World Cup triumph in 1966).

In many ways, as the author demonstrates, Britain became a significant player again in this era and featured once again on the world stage in a fashion it had not achieved in the 1950s. But the outward accoutrements of these revolutions in society nurtured some clandestine (and less palatable) undercurrents, and Sandbrook anatomises these with quite as much skill as he devotes to the more celebratory sections of the book. The range of references involved is quite stunning, and the period concentrated on (1964 to 1970) is not likely to receive such a comprehensive airing again. --Barry Forshaw

Reader Reviews:

A lesson in how to write history (0/0 people found this helpful)

There is something almost voyeuristic about reading the history of a period that you lived through! This is a fine book that is readable, comprehensive and covers not only the outward manifestations but also the underlying causes of events. That's something that is remarkably difficult to do when you are covering such a recent period, but the author manages it with an appearance of ease.
There are places where I disagree with the analysis - for instance the interplay of personalities, events and environment in the Northern Ireland. I don't agree that Ian Paisley happened to be in the right place at the right moment to inflame the protestant population against the mild reforms being undertaken. Paisley was a product of the history and environment of Northern Ireland - if he hadn't been there, someone else would have fulfilled the role.
Quibbles aside this is contemporary history at its best, and well worth a read.
Unreservedly recommended.

Superbly ordered, exceptionally written popular history book (1/1 people found this helpful)

These are my comments on the two books, Never Had It So Good and White Heat, taken as one:
Generally, they are excellent. I thought it was a misprint when I read that the author was born in 1974. For someone younger than me to have written these books is incredible; he must have a brain the size of Pluto.
He comes across as an author with common sense, someone who thinks logically and is not swayed by leftist attitudes and political correctness. That could explain why some lefties have slated his books, because it exposes how ludicrous their perspective on historical and political and social issues is.
Pretty much everything is covered: politics, music, TV, film, fashion, architecture, women's issues, technology, religion and so on. I would like to have seen more pornography and crime but then wouldn't we all.
Criticisms would be nit-picking really, because this is just such a good, eminently readable book. The author has a wise head, and although I might disagree with him on minor details, he is someone to listen to. No wonder he is a teacher - I am sure he's an excellent one.

Respect to Dominic! (1/1 people found this helpful)

I am an historian by training and can do nothing but fall down and worship at the feet of one who has managed such an incredible job not only of researching the stuff in the first place but then arranging the material in such an intelligent manner. And one so young! Dominic - respect due!

Excellent account of sixties Britain (1/2 people found this helpful)

Excellent book, very entertaining - a must for all those intrigued by post-war British history both cultural and political. Dominic Sandbrook is a genius!
Great book, well written, look forward to 'Seasons of Discontent'.

a Thorough and Entertaining History (1/1 people found this helpful)

Sandbrook writes fluently and with passion about his subject. This is his second in a trilogy of books about British history from the 1950's to the 1970's. What's great about this history is that it is both readable and useful in terms of the facts it offers. Sandbrook intersperses chapters on the politics of the time with other memorable cultural events, the rise of the Beatles, Carnaby Street, sexual freedom etc. He provides a balanced view which is often lacking in the more sensationalist history books of the Sixties period. Even in the more complex chapters on politics, he engages the reader with pictures of the characters of the politicians and their lives in relation to their policies which stop the work from being dry. One of the best history books I've ever read.

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