Jenkins floats between enthralling narratives and spasmodic date listing. The result is an oscillation between fascination and boredom.
To be fair, this book does not bill itself as dictating any great arc, apart from arguing for more local assemblies. Besides, could a rundown of all English history help but veer into listing dates and naming royals at times?
Regardless, the book serves well as an impatient person’s filler into the gaps from the education system. I thoroughly enjoying filling in my gaps that were brushed over in my teenage years such as Gladstone vs Disraeli, Thatcherism, and the steady formation of Parliament.