-
The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales
- Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
- Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $41.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe
- By: Kenneth R. Bartlett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth R. Bartlett
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe, award-winning Professor Kenneth R. Bartlett of the University of Toronto invites you to travel through time to the golden ages of 12 of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities. In 24 lectures, you’ll discover teeming markets and mercantile centers, royal feasts and ritual, dramatic military engagements, magnificent religious pageantry, and the many colorful layers of daily medieval life.
-
-
Bartlett is brilliant
- By Voracious reader on 05-17-19
By: Kenneth R. Bartlett, and others
-
Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul
- By: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul, award-winning Professor John R. Hale of the University of Louisville is your guide to the fabulous civilizations of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, and to the natural wonders and idyllic landscapes that surround them. These 24 richly enjoyable lectures give you the chance to experience these important sites and cultures through the eyes of an expert archaeologist and scholar, whose knowledge and depth of insight go far beyond any ordinary travel narrative.
-
-
Annoying Background Music
- By Kevin Ritter on 09-17-19
By: John R. Hale, and others
-
The Story of Medieval England: From King Arthur to the Tudor Conquest
- By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer Paxton
- Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 36 lectures tell the remarkable story of a tumultuous thousand-year period in the history of England. Dominated by war, conquest, and the struggle to balance the stability brought by royal power with the rights of the governed, it was a period that put into place the foundation of much of the world we know today. As you journey through this largely chronological narrative you'll see key themes emerge, including the assimilation of successive waves of invaders, the tense relationship between kings and the nobility, and the constant battles over money and taxation.
-
-
Table of contents
- By Anonymous User on 07-24-19
By: Jennifer Paxton, and others
-
London: A Short History of the Greatest City in the Western World
- By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Bucholz
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No city has had as powerful and as enduring an impact on Western civilization as London. But what made the city the perfect environment for so many great developments? How did London endure the sweeping historical revolutions and disasters without crumbling? Find the answers to these questions and more in these 24 fascinating lectures.
-
-
Good Starting Place or Refresher
- By Amy on 08-05-14
By: Robert Bucholz, and others
-
Understanding Russia
- A Cultural History
- By: Lynne Ann Hartnett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Lynne Ann Hartnett
- Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the earliest recorded history of the Russian state, its people have sought to define their place in the world. And while many of us look to make sense of Russia through its political history, in many ways a real grasp of this awe-inspiring country comes from looking closely at its cultural achievements. The 24 lectures of Understanding Russia: A Cultural History survey hundreds of years of Russian culture, from the world of Ivan the Terrible to the dawn of the Soviet Union to the post-war tensions of Putin’s Russia.
-
-
Good American overview of Russia
- By Jeffrey L. Smith, PE on 10-21-18
By: Lynne Ann Hartnett, and others
-
King Arthur: History and Legend
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 24 spellbinding lectures reveal the full scope of the Arthurian tradition, from its beginnings in post-Roman Britain to its extraordinary trajectory across the centuries and its latest incarnations in modern times. Your pathfinder in this world of mythic adventure and romance, Professor Armstrong, is one of the world's leading Arthurian scholars and the current editor-in-chief of the academic journal Arthuriana.
-
-
Twelve Hours in Camelot
- By Carole T. on 04-26-15
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe
- By: Kenneth R. Bartlett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kenneth R. Bartlett
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Great Tours: Experiencing Medieval Europe, award-winning Professor Kenneth R. Bartlett of the University of Toronto invites you to travel through time to the golden ages of 12 of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities. In 24 lectures, you’ll discover teeming markets and mercantile centers, royal feasts and ritual, dramatic military engagements, magnificent religious pageantry, and the many colorful layers of daily medieval life.
-
-
Bartlett is brilliant
- By Voracious reader on 05-17-19
By: Kenneth R. Bartlett, and others
-
Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul
- By: John R. Hale, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John R. Hale
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul, award-winning Professor John R. Hale of the University of Louisville is your guide to the fabulous civilizations of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, and to the natural wonders and idyllic landscapes that surround them. These 24 richly enjoyable lectures give you the chance to experience these important sites and cultures through the eyes of an expert archaeologist and scholar, whose knowledge and depth of insight go far beyond any ordinary travel narrative.
-
-
Annoying Background Music
- By Kevin Ritter on 09-17-19
By: John R. Hale, and others
-
The Story of Medieval England: From King Arthur to the Tudor Conquest
- By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer Paxton
- Length: 19 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 36 lectures tell the remarkable story of a tumultuous thousand-year period in the history of England. Dominated by war, conquest, and the struggle to balance the stability brought by royal power with the rights of the governed, it was a period that put into place the foundation of much of the world we know today. As you journey through this largely chronological narrative you'll see key themes emerge, including the assimilation of successive waves of invaders, the tense relationship between kings and the nobility, and the constant battles over money and taxation.
-
-
Table of contents
- By Anonymous User on 07-24-19
By: Jennifer Paxton, and others
-
London: A Short History of the Greatest City in the Western World
- By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Bucholz
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No city has had as powerful and as enduring an impact on Western civilization as London. But what made the city the perfect environment for so many great developments? How did London endure the sweeping historical revolutions and disasters without crumbling? Find the answers to these questions and more in these 24 fascinating lectures.
-
-
Good Starting Place or Refresher
- By Amy on 08-05-14
By: Robert Bucholz, and others
-
Understanding Russia
- A Cultural History
- By: Lynne Ann Hartnett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Lynne Ann Hartnett
- Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the earliest recorded history of the Russian state, its people have sought to define their place in the world. And while many of us look to make sense of Russia through its political history, in many ways a real grasp of this awe-inspiring country comes from looking closely at its cultural achievements. The 24 lectures of Understanding Russia: A Cultural History survey hundreds of years of Russian culture, from the world of Ivan the Terrible to the dawn of the Soviet Union to the post-war tensions of Putin’s Russia.
-
-
Good American overview of Russia
- By Jeffrey L. Smith, PE on 10-21-18
By: Lynne Ann Hartnett, and others
-
King Arthur: History and Legend
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 24 spellbinding lectures reveal the full scope of the Arthurian tradition, from its beginnings in post-Roman Britain to its extraordinary trajectory across the centuries and its latest incarnations in modern times. Your pathfinder in this world of mythic adventure and romance, Professor Armstrong, is one of the world's leading Arthurian scholars and the current editor-in-chief of the academic journal Arthuriana.
-
-
Twelve Hours in Camelot
- By Carole T. on 04-26-15
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
A New History of the American South
- By: Edward L. Ayers, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Edward L. Ayers
- Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To know the history of the American South, within its own context, is to come to terms with one of modern history’s most astonishing, polarizing, and illuminating stories. In these 24 lectures, you’ll relive the unforgettable drama of the South, from the rise and fall of the slave South to the making of the New South, examining the full scope of a historical epoch that still affects life in the United States today.
-
-
A very narrow view of southern history
- By Ralph Alderson on 06-09-20
By: Edward L. Ayers, and others
-
The Conservative Tradition
- By: Patrick N. Allitt, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A thorough understanding of Conservatism's lineage, principles, and impact on history is essential to making sense of the 21st-century political dialogue-a dialogue that consumes the television you watch, the newspapers you read, and the radio you listen to.No matter where you place yourself on the ideological spectrum, these 36 lectures will intrigue you, engage you, and maybe even provoke you to think about this political philosophy in an entirely new way.
-
-
Another gem by Prof. Allitt & The Great Courses
- By Quaker on 07-12-14
By: Patrick N. Allitt, and others
-
The Age of Benjamin Franklin
- By: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Robert J. Allison PhD Harvard University
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why is Benjamin Franklin so compelling? What made him so successful in his day? And why has he continued to influence generations of Americans? Tackle these questions and more in The Age of Benjamin Franklin, a thorough - and sometimes surprising - course that presents a full portrait of a personality that defies easy definition.
-
-
Great book, well delivered
- By Vernon on 07-20-18
-
The Celtic World
- By: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Paxton PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the surge of interest and pride in Celtic identity since the 19th century, much of what we thought we knew about the Celts has been radically transformed. In The Celtic World, discover the incredible story of the Celtic-speaking peoples, whose art, language, and culture once spread from Ireland to Austria. This series of 24 enlightening lectures explains the traditional historical view of who the Celts were, then contrasts it with brand-new evidence from DNA analysis and archeology that totally changes our perspective on where the Celts came from.
-
-
Focuses on what the lecturer is interested in
- By Marc on 07-29-18
-
A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts
- By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Bucholz
- Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During the 229-year period from 1485 to 1714, England transformed itself from a minor feudal state into what has been called "the first modern society" and emerged as the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world.Those years hold a huge and captivating story. The English survived repeated epidemics and famines, one failed invasion and two successful ones, two civil wars, a series of violent religious reformations and counter-reformations, and confrontations with two of the most powerful monarchs on earth.
-
-
Old-fashioned and inaccurate
- By E. Stein on 02-26-14
By: Robert Bucholz, and others
-
America After the Cold War
- The First Thirty Years
- By: Patrick N. Allitt, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The 30 years of contemporary US history following the fall of the Soviet Union tend to get short shrift, perhaps because this period of history is still being written, or perhaps because the end of the Cold War is a natural stopping point, an inflection point when one story ends and something new - something unpredictable - begins. Nonetheless, events of today have been profoundly shaped by the past several decades, and one must understand this recent history to understand the world today.
-
-
Very consistent
- By J B Tipton on 05-05-20
By: Patrick N. Allitt, and others
-
Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals: 36 Great Women Before 1400
- By: Joyce E. Salisbury, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Joyce E. Salisbury
- Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Powerful women have shaped laws, led rebellions, and played key roles in dynastic struggles. Some were caught up in forces beyond their control, while others manipulated and murdered their way to the top. However, unearthing their stories from the historical record has been a challenge, with the ordinary difficulties of preserving information across the generations increased by centuries of historical bias and gendered expectations.
-
-
A very solid course worth your time
- By Tommy D'Angelo on 07-16-19
By: Joyce E. Salisbury, and others
-
Books That Have Made History: Books That Can Change Your Life
- By: Rufus J. Fears, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Rufus J. Fears
- Length: 18 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why do "Great Books" continue to speak to us hundreds and even thousands of years after they were written? Can they deepen our self-knowledge and wisdom? Are our lives changed in any meaningful way by the experience of reading them?Tackle these questions and more in these 36 engaging lectures. Beginning with his definition of a Great Book as one that possesses a great theme of enduring importance, noble language that "elevates the soul and ennobles the mind," and a universality that enables it to "speak across the ages," Professor Fears examines a body of work that offers extraordinary wisdom to those willing to receive it.
-
-
A course that will open you to new ideas.
- By Kristi R. on 07-06-14
By: Rufus J. Fears, and others
-
Years That Changed History: 1215
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is so important about the year 1215? There are some history buffs who may be able to tell you that 1215 is the year the Magna Carta was signed, but there are even fewer who know that King John of England’s acceptance of this charter was only one of four major, world-changing events of this significant year. In fact, the social, cultural, political, geographical, and religious shifts that occurred in this year alone had such a huge impact on the entire world, it warrants an entire course of study for anyone truly interested in the pivotal points of history....
-
-
1215 -- Before and Beyond
- By Carol on 08-16-19
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
Books That Matter: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
- By: Leo Damrosch, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Leo Damrosch
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Published in six volumes between 1776 and 1781, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - for all its renown - can be intimidating. It contains one point five million words, an estimated 8,000 footnotes, a cast of 10,000 historical figures, and a timeline of more than 1,000 years. Yet even today, Gibbon's historical chronicle demands to be understood.
-
-
Definitely Worth Your Time!
- By Carol on 03-16-17
By: Leo Damrosch, and others
-
The Concerto
- By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Greenberg
- Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The concerto offers a kind of unique excitement no other instrumental music can match. Where a symphony enthralls us with its thematic variations and development, a concerto gives us human drama-the exhilaration of a soloist or group of soloists ringing forth against the mass of the orchestra.In 24 musically rich lectures, Professor Greenberg provides a guided tour of the concerto, from its conception as a child of Renaissance ideals, through its maturation in the Classical age, its metamorphosis in the Romantic era, and its radical transformation in the 20th century and beyond.
-
-
And I am finally entering the 20th century willing
- By Kindle Customer on 11-27-14
By: Robert Greenberg, and others
-
Late Antiquity: Crisis and Transformation
- By: Thomas F. X. Noble, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas F. X. Noble
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire painted a portrait of the Roman Empire in a long, debilitating slide to oblivion, but now historians have reevaluated this picture to create a radically different understanding of the period now known as "late antiquity." Far from being a period of decline and fall, late antiquity marked one of history's great turning points.
-
-
Great speaker!
- By Nicolas Cobelo on 11-03-17
By: Thomas F. X. Noble, and others
Publisher's Summary
Whether you are searching for the past or want to better understand the world as it is today, travel - even virtually, from the comfort of home - offers a unique opportunity to see the world in new ways.
Wander the streets of cosmopolitan London, roam the 1,000-year-old campuses of Oxford and Cambridge, or tour world-famous museums like the Tate Modern and the National Railway Museum. Or maybe you are aiming for a more pastoral adventure, like an expedition across the romantic wilds of the Scottish Highlands or a journey to see the breathtaking vistas of the Jurassic coast. No matter what experience you are hoping to find, a tour of England, Scotland, and Wales rewards visitors with an astonishing array of historical, cultural, and scenic pleasures and reveals the heritage of a region that has influenced the world immeasurably.
But where should a would-be tourist start? Which are the truly must-see places? And where are the hidden gems that your average guidebook might omit? In other words, how do you get the most out of a tour through this magnificent island?
The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales is just the source you need! Taught by acclaimed Professor Patrick Allitt, a British-born scholar who teaches at Emory University, these 36 splendid lectures give you an insider’s take on traveling through Great Britain. Whether you are planning a week-long vacation, a month-long grand tour, or just want to experience England, Scotland, and Wales from afar, this immersive course takes you on a voyage through not only the most popular tourist sites but also a trove of “hidden gems” overlooked by the traditional guidebooks.
Visually dazzling to help you see - and hear - the cosmopolitan cities and the breathtaking countryside, The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales packs a punch for the insight it offers into this small island that has had an outsized influence on the world’s stage.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John Kitchen
- 02-04-21
Disjointed as an Audible book
This is my first disappointing Audible selection. I am British, well-travelled throughout Britain and with a passion for history. I lectured in travel and tourism and written histories for my grandchildren living in the USA. I feel that Professor Allitt’s transcript might be very useful for a traveler from another country visiting the UK as it may be easier to locate relevant information in a printed document. An example is the relatively brief references to Durham Cathedral and the Stephensons in the earlier parts of his lecture whereas in the section on the North of England they, along with the county of Durham as a whole, are totally omitted. There are many omissions of key elements in British history which have remaining sites well worth visiting, yet there are relatively trivial items included. This is far from saying the work is without merit. I have learned many fascinating facts about places I have visited and historical themes I thought I knew well. I have enjoyed the work because I know much about what is being said, but I feel that anyone lacking such a background might get a less than coherent picture.
As an historical piece I would say it is good, but not excellent. As an aid to a traveler I would say similar.
However, I had to wince at several pronunciations and the examples of Liverpool, Manchester and Yorkshire dialects were - at best - weak (I’m being generous).
Far from my favorite.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joe van Rensburg
- 06-02-20
Great Presentation and Style
My own recollection of London was arriving there from South Africa on the morning of the terrorist attacks in 2005. My Scottish Companion and I were on the underground, and a holiday quite a few years in planning took on a very different character to what we expected, the beauty of the Isle was not diminished to us and Patrick's suggestion that seeing London by walking and the enormity of the British Museum were just two aspects we could relate to with tired feet and general exhaustion back at our hotel. Now we are in a global pandemic and the prospect of tourism again takes on a very different character. I have lost contact with my Scottish companion and worry about her, there were many plans we made that did not materialize, including scenic walks (hiking across Britain) I at first wavered before listening to Patrick's presentation, thinking it may intensify sadness of lost opportunities, but quite the opposite, his marvelously engaging presentation style and deep knowledge of his subject has more than compensated, leaving me a satisfied armchair traveler, eager to explore more. Thank you Patrick
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris B
- 03-08-19
Allitt is the best
I listen to his audio courses again and again. Fascinating, upbeat, engaging. After this one I can't wait to get to Britain.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Eirekitten
- 08-15-20
Informative, Easy to Listen, Great Course
I am a huge history buff, particularly British history, and i will watch anything to do with traveling to Britain, British archeology, etc. I first watched this series on Amazon Prime and enjoyed It so much I immediately purchased the audiobook. Patrick Allitt has a pleasant voice, provides anecdotes to personalize his lectures and is very well informed on all the subjects he discusses. I was happy to find there is a bonus pdf that comes with the audiobook. This course has introduced me to many places I want to visit in the UK. I was more than happy to read one credit for this as it (((Shhhhushhhhhh Amazon ignore this part)))) worth waaaaaaaaay more than I paid for.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jacob
- 10-27-20
Excellent all round.
Would have been nice to add a lecture on musical tradition in Britain.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Erin Sjostrom
- 06-08-22
Outstanding narration
Great content perfectly read. I’m now filling out the 15 word minimum. Really. At least 15 words I’m now generating.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John Matheson
- 04-26-22
Will be using more credits on these!
Finally took the time to listen to one of “The Great Courses” during the free trial period. Really really enjoyed “The Great Tours: England,Scotland and Wales”. Presented with passion and in an entertaining fashion. I’m hooked and will start using some of my credits on these moving forward!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- michael s
- 12-07-21
Going to England? This is a must read.
If you are a fan of English history and wanted to visit, you need this book. Professor Allitt, a native Brit, knows how tell the story of England, Scotland and Wales.
Your first book should be Professor Allitt's book on the Industrial Revolution. You don't want to be the bloke asking about the canals and all.
Professor Allitt usually has a few chapters, in his books, on art. Music, sculpture, architecture, fine arts and such. It is good that he includes this, but, I'm not too "artsy". I am addressing mostly Americans on this topic. Until several years ago I never noticed how much English history is written into their pop and rock music. American music covers American history, mostly in folk and country genres, rarely in top 40 or rock and roll.
The first example is from The Rolling Stones, "Sympathy For The Devil".
"I rode a tank, Held a general's rank, When the blitzkrieg raged, And the bodies stank."
Another, from Led Zeppelin, "The Immigrant Song", about Vikings raiding Britain. I've been listening to LZ since there was an LZ. I did not realize what the song was about until I saw the video, "Viking Kittens". LZ and Rathergood.com/ seemed to patched things up. I can think of several more, but not for now.
https://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/vikingkittens
I bring this up, because Professor Allitt didn't. He might not have considered this only because, "Yeah, the Vikings came Britain and made a mess of things."
Yeah. Anyway, don't tour Britain before the listen to these books. You will miss a lot.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 07-25-20
Patrick Allit makes it fun and interesting. good
Patrick Allit makes it fun and interesting. a very good listen as always. worth it.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mike of Alsager
- 10-16-19
Both Informative and Enjoyable
While this book is primarily aimed at visitors from abroad, in particular the US, as a Brit I still found it very interesting to listen to. While the book of this nature cannot cover everywhere and everything, I thought that the author had done a pretty good job covering the diversity of the country as well as its history.
I’m not sure that some of the accents used to portray different areas really came across as authentic, and I took issue with a couple of pronunciations but overall I thought this was a splendidbook and a good introduction for people touring England, Scotland and Wales.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Alžběta
- 02-17-22
Most enjoyable and excellently presented!
I am not the target audience for this book (an American visiting Britain for the first time), but I still enjoyed this book immensely! Patrick Allitt is an excellent and natural speaker and educator - 18 hours felt like mere minutes.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sarah
- 04-12-20
A great way to travel during Lockdown!
Really felt like I was touring around Britain :) I would then use Google Earth to look up places mentioned and/or described in the course and view images of them, getting lost in the virtual tour!
Given that here in New Zealand we are Locked Down and grounded from travelling at all at the moment, this book was a really great way to escape to the other side of the world ;)
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sarah Cook
- 04-27-22
Enjoyable and thorough
Enjoyable and thorough. Lots of new ideas for travel destinations, and it was even lovely revisiting the places I've already seen.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kirsty
- 05-10-19
The Ladybird Guide to Holidaying in Britain?
I have other of Prof Allitt's Great Courses and enjoyed them and have got a lot out of them. However this appears to be squarely aimed at the American college student, is delivered in avuncular tones to make Britain sound like paradise on earth, in fact he says almost as much in his final summing up.
Britain IS probably better for most than it was in 1921 when Prof Allitt's father was born but things are not improving for many, many of the population. I may have missed the concerns about the rising knife crime in the capital and beyond, the fall of living standards of people unable to work, the forced return to homelands they never knew of the Windrush generation, the falling apart of the health system, the dysfunctional government and the hate speech which has become mainstream in both social and tabloid media.
But I guess none of that matters: like ProfessorAllitt the tourist can leave a Bed and Breakfast replete with the fully fried English, Scots or Welsh breakfast, take in another well or little known historical spot he has featured, and comfortably reflect on the country's past as he portrays it. Let's hope these tourists never have to experience Britain's other, darker present.