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This Sovereign Isle
- Britain in and out of Europe
- Narrated by: Mark Elstob
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
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This Sovereign Isle
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Geography comes before history. Islands cannot have the same history as continental plains. The United Kingdom is a European country, but not the same kind of European country as Germany, Poland or Hungary. For most of the 150 centuries during which Britain has been inhabited it has been on the edge, culturally and literally, of mainland Europe.
In this succinct book, Tombs shows that the decision to leave the EU is historically explicable - though not made historically inevitable - by Britain's very different historical experience, especially in the 20th century and because of our more extensive and deeper ties outside Europe. He challenges the orthodox view that Brexit was due solely to British or English exceptionalism: in choosing to leave the EU, the British, he argues, were in many ways voting as typical Europeans.
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What listeners say about This Sovereign Isle
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- C. D. GRIFFITHS
- 29-01-21
Enlightening
I enjoyed this book. The history was clearly explained and changed my view of Brexit. I was a remainer, and like many others felt like it was the end of the world when we left. This book makes a strong argument for why this isn't necessarily the
case. As well as being well written, it was well read. I'm now considering buying a paper copy.
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13 people found this helpful
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- Steve Rogers
- 20-02-21
The first historical review of Brexit which illuminates the past and indicates potential futures outside of the EU.
Everyone should read this whether they voted to Remain or to Leave. Starting from a review of Britain’s relationship with Europe and the earlier days of the birth of the EU it takes the reader through to the present day. It poses important questions of where Britain goes next.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- kuli
- 20-05-21
facts not biased dogma
Refreshing arguments no scaremongering a new chapter without fear for the UK ups and downs I'm sure but the people's choice must be respected .
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Charlie O'Doherty, London
- 19-03-21
Good historic perspective
If you want a well written historic insight into the reason why British people don't care for the European Union, this is it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Reverend
- 15-02-21
Simply brilliant distillation of complex topic
Tombs covers every angle of the UK's membership of the EEC and then EU, the reasons for Britain's unhappiness with our membership and our attempts to change the EU.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs R A Bruneau
- 11-03-21
A brilliant summation of Brexit
If you’re after a concise history of Brexit interposed with insightful analysis of politics, constitutional and legal questions, this is the book for you. It joins the dots on the stories we all remember from this most fascinating period in our nations recent history.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- tangle
- 27-12-23
A must read
This is a fascinating listen for all us who lived through Brexit. It shows how the establishment has done its very best to undermine the referendum. I learnt a lot. Easy to listen to and almost a page turner. Excellent listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Fiona
- 22-06-21
Intellectually Rigorous!
Aside from being correct in his beliefs, Professor Tombs delves in to each intellectual argument with both patience and logic, both of which have been sadly lacking in the current anti-Brexit climate in the UK. Thoroughly recommended listening!
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5 people found this helpful
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- H Newsam
- 10-02-21
Don’t agree with many parts but a must read
As a committed pro European and remain campaigner its vital to understand those who believe the opposing view. This is more of a history arguably a but one sided and the narrator talks with a bit of a sneer. Much to make you think and especially the authors view of sovereignty
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1 person found this helpful
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- Alan Hughes
- 23-02-22
Superb
An excellent overview of the recent, and historical, relationship between Britain and Europe. Many interesting facts are presented that have often been forgotten or overlooked in the febrile debates around Brexit. Parties from both sides of that debate could find this book useful.
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