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This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1 cover art

This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1

By: Christopher Lee
Narrated by: Anna Massey, Paul Eddington, Peter Jeffrey, Roger May, Paul Jenkins, John Turner, Stephen Critchlow, Denys Hawthorne
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Summary

The first five volumes from the landmark BBC radio series This Sceptred Isle

Christopher Lee's epic history tells the story of Britain from the Romans to the death of Victoria. This collection includes the original first five volumes: 

55BC-1087: Julius Caesar to William the Conqueror
From Britannia under the Romans to the Dark Ages and the invasions of Angles, Saxons, Danes, and Norwegians. 

1087-1327: The Making of the Nation
The Crusades, Welsh and Scottish rebellions and the foundations of the modern state - including Magna Carta and the fledgling English Parliament. 

1327-1547: The Black Prince to Henry VIII
The Hundred Years' War, the Peasants' Revolt, the Wars of the Roses and the reign of Henry VIII. 

1547-1660: Elizabeth I to Cromwell
Elizabeth I's long reign; the Civil War, the execution of Charles I and the establishment of Cromwell as Lord Protector. 

1660-1702: Restoration and Glorious Revolution
The return of Charles II, the Great Plague and Great Fire of London, and a ruler from a different country on the throne: William of Orange. 

The audio files for this title have been updated and they are now in the correct order.

Narrated by Anna Massey, with extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's A History of the English-Speaking Peoples read by Paul Eddington and Peter Jeffrey, this is the definitive radio account of the events and personalities that have shaped our nation. 

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
  • Radio/TV Programme

What listeners say about This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1

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  • Overall
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Out of order at the end!!

Fabulous piece of work of course.

But the back end from Charles II to William of
orange are out of order. So it talks about Charles I, Cromwell etc then William then after that Charles II then goes back to William.

Very disappointing!!!

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19 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Episodes Out Of Order.

Late 1600's out of order @ Charles 2. Ruins the whole book. Very disappointed. Does Audible even realise?

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A gentle stroll through British history

This potted history of the British isles is an engaging whistle stop tour that begins with Julius Caesar landing on our shores and comes to rest as Queen Anne ascends the throne. Given the length and breadth of the subject matter and the sheer length of time it is covering, it is more of a superficial browse through the successive reigns of our kings and queens rather than a serious in depth re-telling of history. Nevertheless, it is easy listening and paints a cohesive timeline of events in very broad strokes, sometimes putting events in context and highlighting their impact in the ways that have survived to the present day. If you are an avid fan of any particular period of history, you may feel short-changed in the pencil sketch treatment of your favourite epoch, however, I defy any history buff not to be seduced by the clipped delivery of the narrators and the richness of the stories they tell.

As an additional note, as you reach the restoration of Charles II you may be surprised how the narration seems to speed past him with indecent haste. There is an error in the sequencing of the episodes where the restoration segment has been incorrectly inserted into the William of Orange chapters.

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

SOMEONE HAS BLUNDERED

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes but see below

What other book might you compare This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1 to, and why?

Collection 2

Have you listened to any of Anna Massey and Paul Eddington ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Not relevant

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Only that I think Paul Eddington died or was seriously ill before he could finish the whole thing.

Any additional comments?

1 Why can't I review without answering above daft questions?
2 I downloaded to play on my MP3 and was a bit surprised to find the 1688 Glorious Revolution occurring before the Restoration in 1660. I think someone put the individual episodes together in the wrong order. I'll play Part 2 on random - it might make more sense.
Still the best way of being able to sound as if you know what you are talking about when answering quiz questions

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11 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Let down by an error in the chapter order.

I had not heard the original radio show, but had read and greatly enjoyed Christopher Lee's books. The performances here are first class, so sad that this is let down by the errors in the chapter order towards the end.

At the price charged this surely requires remedying.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ausgezeichnet!

Wenn man eine komplette Geschichte Großbritanniens will, soll er dieses Buch kaufen. Es erklärt alle wichtige Themen ganz einfach.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant.

Would you listen to This Sceptred Isle: Collection 1 again? Why?

Yes. I've done so on a number of times, and no doubt will do so again. It helps me remember which Henry or which Edward did what in the Middle Ages; (I've always had problems with those Kings).

What did you like best about this story?

It is the best, most comprehensive, and interesting history of Britain, written or oral, I have possessed. One of the BBC's best ever productions.

What about Anna Massey and Paul Eddington ’s performance did you like?

Couldn't do better.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great series, shame about the editing

Fantastic series and wonderful to have it in one collection rather than the hour by hour segments.

Only criticism is of the editing - the final two or so hours is out of sequence thereby spoiling the production somewhat.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Back to front at end!

Very good story of early English history from 54BC to the start of War of Spanish Succession. Narration from Paul Eddington & later Peter Jefferies was very good & clear. First heard this narrative on tape, and was very impressed. My criticism of this recording is that the last chapters are back to front. May not be worth a credit! Rather disappointed in Audible for this.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Shocking editing by Audible

This fantastic collection has been totally ruined by the moron who.compiled the chapters out of order.

Do not purchase until they fix the problem!!

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