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Eighteen

The Sunday Times Bestseller: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives

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About this listen

Read by the author, Alice Loxton.

Biggest books to look out for in 2024 – The Guardian

'Loxton is the next big thing in history' – Dan Snow

At eighteen, your life is full of of what-ifs and why-nots. You have everything to look forward to – unless you’ve got the plague.

From a young Elizabeth Tudor, the orphan facing deadly intrigue at court, to a teenage Richard Burton, the rugby-obsessed son of a Welsh miner, historian Alice Loxton explores Britain’s past through the lives of eighteen figures at this crucial age.

How do you make a living in Georgian London with no arms or legs? What would you do if a world war interrupted your university studies? With plenty of wit and insight, Eighteen invites readers to join an eclectic cast of young Britons across the nation and throughout its history, to find out what makes us who we are.

Filled with fascinating stories of royalty, explorers, writers and entertainers, Eighteen asks what lessons we can learn for modern Britain.

'A whirlwind of historical energy . . . one of the brightest new stars of popular history' – Dan Jones

 Europe Great Britain Historical Social Classes & Economic Disparity Sociology Royalty England

Critic reviews

I love Alice's work. This book is smart, funny and should definitely be on your bookshelf (Greg James, BBC Radio 1 presenter)
Utterly, utterly brilliant. Fizzing with energy, wit and insight (Tracy Borman, bestselling author of Thomas Cromwell)
Loxton is the leading historian of her generation (Dan Jones, bestselling author of The Templars)
Riveting. A totally original concept, executed with flair and irrepressible enthusiasm (Jack Chesher, bestselling author of London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers)
Fascinating. Bursting with ideas and images. Loxton has the novelist's skill of seeing the world through her characters' eyes, and the historian's accuracy of vision (Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women)
Alice Loxton is the star of her generation . . . the next big thing in history (Dan Snow, historian and author of On This Day in History)
Brilliantly original, wonderfully perceptive and full of rich insights into a deep range of fascinating characters but also the age in which they lived. In this compelling and utterly enchanting book, Alice Loxton has confirmed her place as one of our most exciting and talented young historians (James Holland, bestselling author and historian)
Entertaining, exciting and engaging. Eighteen is the story of Britain through the lens of the lives of the youth and that is exactly what we needed (Estelle Paranque, author of Blood, Fire and Gold)
A brilliantly original concept executed with wit and imagination. Loxton's approach is fresh, contemporary, full of exuberance but never at the cost of scholarship. If this can’t make eighteen-year-olds want to read history, I am not sure what could . . . (Lucy Moore, author of Lady Fanshawe’s Receipt Book)
Alice Loxton heads the charge of an exciting new generation of historians (Jessie Childs, author of The Siege of Loyalty House)
Vivid, exciting, vibrant, a world of youth brought to original dizzying life, Eighteen is full of magnificent characters and fascinating history and Alice is a thrilling guide (Kate Williams, historian and author of Rival Queens)
An engaging and insightful look into the lives of some of our key cultural figures at an important turning point, or rite of passage, closing the distance of centuries (Amy License, historian and author of Tudor Roses)
A unique approach to British history through the vibrant eyes of its youth (Hayley Nolan, historian and bestselling author of Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies)
Simply a joy to read. With wit, flair and keen intelligence, Loxton reminds us that young people have always faced a perilous world – and have prevailed with grit, grace and resilience. A uniquely hopeful and inspiring book, Eighteen will delight readers young and old (Leah Redmond Chang, author of Young Queens)
All stars
Most relevant
Really interesting characters brought to life, you feel as though they are there with you

So nicely read

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Great for dipping in and out of while dog walking. Lots of details and it’s easy to skip chapters or re listen too. Bought as a BOGOF.

Eighteen

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interesting facts that I have not heard anywhere else. Great listen, alice helps paint a great mental image. review from a male 34.

interesting facts

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Brimming with positivity and yet grounded in reality, this wonderful book inspires and motivates. It charters the human spirit striving to pursue the unimaginable.

Fascinating insights

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The author did a lot of projection. She gave us the facts as known then projected how each person Must have felt.
Every time that happened without support from that person’s own writing it felt disingenuous.

I know as I’m currently reading Pepys diaries I’m seeing how easily they could be “influencer” posts, however claiming he as a historical person seems shallow would be projecting my perspective from the future. (Pepys is not one of the 18)

Likewise the author seems to do that while talking down to the reader.
I’m not quite sure if she was talking only to 18 year olds or reflecting on how decisions made at 18 shaped futures to remind older generations but I felt very much like this author was trying to shape these people to her own agenda.

I would certainly like a less biased perspective to have come across.

Too much guesswork

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