Book excerpt: Could this short, elegant, volume be the only book on British history you'll ever need? A Bit About Britain's History is for anyone who wants a light introduction to Britain's amazing story. If you don't know the basics, or would like a reminder, this book is for you. It is also perfect for those that didn't enjoy history at school, but who have suddenly realised they'd like to understand it a bit better now. Organised clearly and chronologically, A Bit About Britain's History covers every period from a long time ago until quite recently. It begins by briefly mentioning that the place was once inhabited by extremely large lizards, and ends up with a post-war 20th century consumer society. Short articles explain the essential aspects of Britain's past, including how the ancestors of its current inhabitants arrived, how they fought each other, formed nations, fell out over religion, acquired a large empire, became gradually more democratic, helped win a couple of world wars and were left wondering what to do next. At the end of the book are detailed timelines for each period, which provide useful reference and make fascinating reading in their own right. So - what did the Romans achieve? How did Christianity arrive? Who are the English and why did they fight the French so often? What is Henry VIII's greatest legacy? When did democracy start and people get the vote? Why on earth did Britain get involved in WW1? A Bit about Britain's History might be the only book on British history you'll ever need; or it might be your stepping stone to more in-depth academic reading.