Simon Jenkins

Landlords to London was originally published in 1975, the first book by Simon Jenkins, later to be editor of the London Evening Standard and the Times, and in 2008 the Chairman on the National Trust. The book is a collective biography of the men who mapped out the metropolis of London as we see it today - also the story of the people of London, who have never sat idly by any argument over their city. The Great Estates of London were carved out of the fields surrounding the medieval City and made their owners fabulously rich, but led also to a remarkable flowering of urban design in the squares, crescents and terraces of Bloomsbury, Belgravia, Islington, Kensington et al. These wealthy families are shadowy figures in Londons history, but Simon Jenkins brings their tastes and endeavours to light, while also recording the popular protests and petitions that have led to the ceaseless reform, revision, conservation and regeneration of Londons landscape and skyline.Extremely informative and witty. Roy Porter, London: A Social History

Provocative elegant intriguing Jenkins is a bold imaginative writer brilliant at challenging old assumptions and encouraging you to look at British architecture in a new light Rory StewartThe architecture of Britain is an art gallery all around us From our streets to squares through our cities suburbs and villages we are surrounded by magnificent buildings of eclectic styles A Short History of British Architecture is the gripping and untold story of why Britain looks the way it does from prehistoric Stonehenge to the lofty towers of today Bestselling historian Simon Jenkins traces the relentless battles over the European traditions of classicism and gothic He guides us from the gothic cathedrals of Lincoln Ely and Wells to the a prodigya houses of the Tudor renaissance and visits the great estates of Georgian London the docks of Liverpool the mills of Yorkshire and the chapels of south Wales The arrival of modernism in the twentieth century politicised public taste upheaved communities and sought to reconstruct entire cities It produced Coventry Cathedral and Lloyda s of London but also the brutalist monoliths of Sheffielda s Park Hill Glasgowa s Cumbernauld and Londona s South Bank Only in the 1970s did the public at last give voice to

Which battle was fought For England, Harry and St George? Who demanded to be painted warts and all? What - and when - was the Battle of the Bulge?In A Short History of England, bestselling author Simon Jenkins answers all these questions - and many more - as he tells the tumultuous story of a fascinating nation. From the invaders of the dark ages to todays coalition, via the Tudors, the Stuarts and two world wars, Jenkins weaves together a gripping narrative with all the most important and interesting dates in his own inimitable style.Until now there has been no short history of England covering all significant events, themes and individuals: this bestselling book, published in association with the National Trust, will be the standard work for years to come.

The first short, single-volume history of the continent, from the author of the bestselling A Short History of England Europe has for two millennia been a remarkably successful continent. In this dazzling new history, bestselling author Simon Jenkins tells the story of its evolution from a battlefield of warring tribes to peace, wealth and freedom - a story that twists and turns from Greece and Rome, through the Middle Ages, Reformation and French Revolution, to the two World Wars and the present day. Jenkins embraces individuals from Julius Caesar and Joan of Arc, to Wellington and Angela Merkel, as well as cultural figures from Aristotle to Shakespeare and Picasso. Tracing themes down the ages, from youthful ambition and religious conflict to geographical constraints and invasion, he brings together the key forces and dominant periods into one chronological narrative - all with his usual insight, colour and authority. While experiencing almost constant turbulence, Europe has left an indelible mark on the world. How did one small continent become so powerful? How did these diverse peninsulas and islands, over time, develop a collective consciousness? How did diplomacy so often collapse into bloodshed, and what are the implications of this today? Despite the importance of Europe's politics, economy and culture, there has not been - until now - a concise book to tell this story. Covering the key events, eras and individuals, Jenkins' portrait of the continent could not be more timely - or more masterful. 'Full of stand-out facts ... absolutely fascinating' - Richard Bacon, BBC Radio 2, on A Short History of England 'Masterly, perhaps a masterpiece' - Independent, Books of the Year on England's Thousand Best Churches 'Jenkins is, like all good guides, more than simply informative: he can be courteous and rude, nostalgic and funny, elegant, convincing and relaxed' - Adam Nicolson on England's Thousand Best Houses, Evening Standard 'Full of the good judgements one might hope for from such a sensible and readable commentator, and they alone are worth perusing for pleasure and food for thought' - Michael Wood on A Short History of England, New Statesman 'Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book' - Max Hastings on England's Thousand Best Houses, Sunday Telegraph

READERS OF EUROPEAN HISTORY WILL LOVE THIS BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED BOOK Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europe s greatest cathedrals John Barton author of A History of the Bible As ever Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europe s greatest buildings and their settings well informed elegantly opinionated and passionate Diarmaid MacCulloch author of Christianity The First Three Thousand Years Europe s cathedrals are magnificent They outstrip palaces and castles They are the most sensational group of structures anywhere in the world which everyone should see before they die They are also hugely popular most of them absolutely packed They are humankind s greatest creations In Europe s 100 Best Cathedrals Simon Jenkins has travelled the continent from Chartres to York Cologne to Florence Toledo to Moscow and Stockholm to Seville to illuminate old favourites and highlight new discoveries Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout this joyous exploration of Europe s history tells the stories behind these wonders showing the cathedral s central role in the European imagination Readers will be inspired to make th

The definitive concise account of England s remarkable past now updated

The global powerhouse that is the United States of America is younger even than the British Museum Guinness and the flushing toilet In 2026 it will celebrate its 250th birthday How did this vast land long inhabited by diverse indigenous cultures come to be dominated by English speakers How has it grappled with the stark contradictions between its ideals of liberty and the grim reality of genocide and slavery This extraordinary collection of fifty distinct states has weathered immense and recent challenges including a Civil War that was still raging as the first London Underground station opened How did this melting pot of peoples and ideas not only endure but rise to dominate global politics commerce culture and warfare What insights does this rich history offer about an increasingly divided nation and the world that moves to its rhythm Is this the twilight of American supremacy signalling a shift toward a more introspective nation A Short History of America is rich with vivid characters from arrogant conquistadors and idealistic revolutionaries to imperial presidents and presents a narrative so astonishing it often feels like fake news This is a gripping must read for anyone seeking to make sense of our world today

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READERS OF EUROPEAN HISTORY WILL LOVE THIS BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED BOOK!"Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europes greatest cathedrals"John Barton, author of A History of the Bible"As ever, Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europes greatest buildings and their settings: well-informed, elegantly opinionated and passionate" Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years__________________________Europes cathedrals are magnificent. They outstrip palaces and castles. They are the most sensational group of structures anywhere in the world - which everyone should see before they die. They are also hugely popular, most of them absolutely packed. They are humankinds greatest creations.In Europes 100 Best Cathedrals, Simon Jenkins has travelled the continent - from Chartres to York, Cologne to Florence, Toledo to Moscow and Stockholm to Seville - to illuminate old favourites and highlight new discoveries. Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, this joyous exploration of Europes history tells the stories behind these wonders, showing the cathedrals central role in the European imagination. Readers will be inspired to make their own pilgrimage to all one hundred of them.

The global powerhouse that is the United States of America is younger even than the British Museum, Guinness and the flushing toilet. In 2026 it will celebrate its 250th birthday. How did this vast land, long inhabited by diverse indigenous cultures, come to be dominated by English speakers? How has it grappled with the stark contradictions between its ideals of liberty and the grim reality of genocide and slavery?This extraordinary collection of fifty distinct states has weathered immense and recent challenges, including a Civil War that was still raging as the first London Underground station opened. How did this melting pot of peoples and ideas not only endure but rise to dominate global politics, commerce, culture and warfare? What insights does this rich history offer about an increasingly divided nation and the world that moves to its rhythm? Is this the twilight of American supremacy, signalling a shift toward a more introspective nation?A Short History of America is rich with vivid characters from arrogant conquistadors and idealistic revolutionaries to imperial presidents and presents a narrative so astonishing it often feels like fake news. This is a gripping must-read for anyone seeking to make sense of our world today.

Discover the history of Europe - from the Dark Ages to present day - by the author of the bestselling A Short History of EnglandEurope is an astonishingly successful place. But it would take volumes to tell its story, right? Wrong. From warring peoples to peace, wealth and freedom, Andrew Jenkins distils its evolution into this short, single-volume history.From Greece and Rome, through the French Revolution to the Second World War and modern times. Taking in leaders such as Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Wellington and Angela Merkel.Sharing stories of cultural figures like Aristotle, Shakespeare and Picasso.Jenkins brings together the transformative forces and dominant eras into one chronological tale - all with his insight, colour and authority.

Provocative, elegant, intriguing - Jenkins is a bold, imaginative writer, brilliant at challenging old assumptions and encouraging you to look at British architecture in a new light Rory StewartThe story of Britain is revealed through its buildings, and yet the language of architecture is a mystery to all but a few. In this enlightening history, spanning castles and cathedrals to factories and railway stations, Jenkins translates the hidden narratives infused in the facades we walk past every day.Britains history has been formed by its politics, religion and society and these influences can be seen in the architectural styles that have shaped its landscape. From pre-Roman and the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, Classical and Gothic styles surged and retreated from favour only to then be challenged by a new player: Modernism, a style that reflected the stunning technological advances of the second half of the twentieth century.In this narrative history, Simon Jenkins the bestselling champion of our national heritage introduces us to the singular, eccentric and sometimes rather ordinary characters who shaped Britain. Jenkins teaches readers to see the world anew, demystifying the elitist language of architecture so that we can all appreciate the buildings around us.

Discover the architectural gems that are Britains 100 Best Railway Stations in this Sunday Times top 10 bestsellerThis is a cracker . . . a beautiful book Chris EvansIt is the scene for our hopeful beginnings and our intended ends, and the timeless experiences of coming and going, meeting, greeting and parting. It is an institution with its own rituals and priests, and a long-neglected aspect of Britains architecture. And yet so little do we look at the railway station.Simon Jenkins has travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain, from Waterloo to Wemyss Bay, Betws-y-Coed to Beverley, to select his hundred best railway stations. Blending his usual insight and authority with his personal reflections and experiences - including his founding the Railway Heritage Trust - the foremost expert on our national heritage deftly reveals the history, geography, design and significance of each of these glories. Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, this joyous exploration of our social history shows the stations role in the national imagination; champions the engineers, architects and rival companies that made them possible; and tells the story behind the triumphs and follies of these very British creations. These are the marvellous, often undersung places that link our nation, celebrated like never before.However spectacular the books photographs, its the authors prowess as a phrase-maker that keeps you turning the pagesThe TimesAn uplifting exploration of our social historyGuardian

Fascinating and timely. Required reading for every developer, planner or councillor who holds London in trust today Griff Rhys JonesAccessible, clear and readable Rowan Moore, The Observer________________________LONDON: a settlement founded by the Romans, occupied by the Saxons, conquered by the Danes and ruled by the Normans. This unremarkable place - not even included in the Domesday Book - became a medieval maze of alleys and courtyards, later to be chequered with grand estates of Georgian splendour. It swelled with industry and became the centre of the largest empire in history. And rising from the rubble of the Blitz, it is now one of the greatest cities in the world.From the prehistoric occupants of the Thames valley to the preoccupied commuters of today, Simon Jenkins brings together the key events, individuals and trends in Londons history to create a matchless portrait of the capital.________________________A vivid and deeply well-informed account of Londons history Charles Saumarez Smith, Professor of Cultural History, Queen Mary University of LondonExtremely informative and wittyRoy Porter, author of London: A Social History on Landlords to LondonA short, invigorating gallop over two and a half thousand yearsScotsman on A Short History of Europe

The history of Britain in the last thirty years, under both Conservative and Labour governments, has been dominated by one figure - Margaret Thatcher. Her election marked a decisive break with the past and her premiership transformed not just her country, but the nature of democratic leadership. In his argued history Simon Jenkins analyses this revolution from its beginnings in the turmoil of the 1970s through the social and economic changes of the 1980s. Was Thatcherism a mere medicine for an ailing economy or a complete political philosophy? And did it eventually fall victim to the dogmatism and control which made it possible? This is the story of the events, personalities, defeats and victories which will be familiar to all those who lived through them, but seen through a new lens. It is also an argument about how Thatchers legacy has continued down to the present. Not just John Major, but Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are her heirs and acolytes. And as the Conservative party reinvents itself as a viable political force once again, is the age of Thatcher finally over?

Desde el nacimiento del país hasta el ascenso como potencia mundial y el posterior eclipse parcial, Simon Jenkins, uno de los periodistas más respetados de Gran Bretaña, entrelaza todos los personajes y acontecimientos clave de la historia de Inglaterra con una narrativa magistral para ofrecer al lector un relato completo, esclarecedor y fascinante sobre una de las culturas mas importantes de la historia mundial.Jenkins tiene una contagiosa fascinacion por la historia de Inglaterra.The TimesJenkins tiene la mirada periodistica para el detalle cautivador []. Me encanta que por fin tengamos una guia legible y rapida del amplisimo panorama de la historia inglesa.History TodayUn libro verdaderamente adictivo []. Una exposicion magistral de como y por que Inglaterra tuvo exito como pais.Countryman

ExcellentFinancial TimesStirring, impressively detailedTime magazineThe Battle for the Falklands is a thoughtful and informed analysis of an astonishing chapter in modern British history from journalist and military historian Sir Max Hastings and political editor Simon Jenkins.Ten weeks. 28,000 soldiers. 8,000 miles from home.The Falklands War in 1982 was one of the strangest in British history. At the time, many Britons saw it as a tragic absurdity - thousands of men sent overseas for a tiny relic of empire - but the British victory over the Argentinians not only confirmed the quality of British arms but also boosted the political fortunes of Thatchers Conservative government. However, it left a chequered aftermath and was later overshadowed by the two Gulf wars.Max Hastings and Simon Jenkins account of the conflict is a modern classic of war reportage and the definitive book on the conflict.

A sweeping history of the British village, both rural and urban, which makes a compelling case for why we need to protect our local communities, from bestselling author Simon JenkinsWe are a nation of villages, from the rural, picturesque hamlets of Castle Combe and Clovelly, to the tight-knit urban communities of Leeds terraces and Cricklewoods backyards. Villages link us with our past and are the stuff of art, poetry, folklore and song and for many they offer a place of community and sanctuary. And yet Britain today is one of the most centralised political systems in Europe, with decisions on local matters made by national government and local communities feeling increasingly disempowered and disconnected.In The Village in Britain, Simon Jenkins, bestselling author and former chair of the National Trust, delves into the past, present and future of this powerful national symbol, and argues that we need to find a way of embedding the qualities of the village into our modern lives. Through a sweeping history of the village, from its rural, medieval origins to its downfall in the industrial era and then its rebirth in both urban and digital spaces, he shows us that the village offers answers to the challenges that face so many communities today.Using examples from literature, architecture, and culture, from the rural idylls of The Archers and Akenfield, to the campaigning work of Octavia Hill and Robert Owen, we see how the concept of the village has changed over time and why it continues to be an important part of the way we live, with benefits for people of all ages and interests. We see how the future of the village has been put at risk, including the closure of local pubs and shops, but also that a steady transformation is underway, as commuters and retirees bring villages a new sense of vitality.This is an expert and fascinating journey through the rise and fall and potential rise again of the British village.

Desde el nacimiento del país hasta el ascenso como potencia mundial y el posterior eclipse parcial, Simon Jenkins, uno de los periodistas más respetados de Gran Bretaña, entrelaza todos los personajes y acontecimientos clave de la historia de Inglaterra con una narrativa magistral para ofrecer al lector un relato completo, esclarecedor y fascinante sobre una de las culturas mas importantes de la historia mundial.Jenkins tiene una contagiosa fascinacion por la historia de Inglaterra.The TimesJenkins tiene la mirada periodistica para el detalle cautivador []. Me encanta que por fin tengamos una guia legible y rapida del amplisimo panorama de la historia inglesa.History TodayUn libro verdaderamente adictivo []. Una exposicion magistral de como y por queInglaterra tuvo exito como pais.CountrymanJenkins tiene una contagiosa fascinacion por la historia de Inglaterra.The TimesJenkins tiene la mirada periodistica para el detalle cautivador []. Me encanta que por fin tengamos una guia legible y rapida del amplisimo panorama de la historia inglesa.History TodayUn libro verdaderamente adictivo []. Una exposicion magistral de como y por queInglaterra tuvo exito como pais. Countryman