Never Had It So Good cover art

Never Had It So Good

A History of Britain from Suez to the Beatles

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Never Had It So Good

By: Dominic Sandbrook
Narrated by: Dominic Sandbrook, Roger Davis
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About this listen

 'A rich treasure-chest of a book' ANTHONY HOWARD, Sunday Telegraph

'A spectacular history of the sixties' NICK COHEN, Observer

'Sandbrook's book is a pleasure to read ... he is a master of the human touch' RICHARD DAVENPORT-HINES, TLS

'Rivetingly readable' GODFREY SMITH, Sunday Times

From the bloodshed of the Suez Crisis to the giddy heyday of Beatlemania, from the first night of Look Back in Anger to the sensational revelations of the Profumo scandal, British life during the late 1950s and early 1960s seemed more colourful, exciting and controversial than ever. Using a vast array of sources, Dominic Sandbrook tells the story of a society caught between cultural nostalgia and economic optimism. He brings to life the post-war experience for a new generation of readers, in a critically acclaimed debut that will change for ever how we think about the sixties.©2015 Dominic Sandbrook (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Europe Great Britain War Imperialism Winston Churchill Socialism Social justice Africa Capitalism

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Critic reviews

'Unforgettable vignettes and revelations in this prodigious and ground-breaking study of British life' (SUNDAY TIMES)

'A clever and engaging study of Britain as it prepared to swing into the sixties. Never Had It So Good is very good indeed' (Amanda Foreman)
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Most relevant
I really enjoy Dominic Sandbrook’s work. It is thorough, well researched, humerous and always offers fascinating insights into modern British history. This book is no different. It covers Britain from the late 1950’s through to 1963, and it provides a lot of fascinating information in an approachable and engaging style.

However, while State of Emergency and Seasons in the Sun were brilliantly narrated by David Thorpe, both White Heat and Never Had it so Good have been narrated by someone who seems to struggle.
The accents are genuinely appalling and there is little warmth or engagement. It’s so disappointing. I actually couldn’t listen to the chapter on Ireland as the accents were insultingly bad.
This is a real shame but I would suggest that, if you enjoy Dominic’s work, buy the book not the audio version.

Another excellent book ruined by awful narration

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I love Sandbrook’s other works, State of Emergency, Seasons in the Sun and Who Dares wins and was looking forward to this but sadly the narrator in this one is awful.

Nasal performance

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Gave up listening due to phenomenally irritating narrator, which is a pity as was enjoying thd content.
Will try on Kindle.

Dreadful narration. Sound like poor AI

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I like the detail and the clear analysis of it, made me think again about familiar figures such as Macmillan

Very interesting retelling of those years,

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Looked forward to this as have read all the books. Very very disappointed with Roger Davis. He should read children's fairy tales not a well researched historical work such as this!!!!! I am returning the book to audible as only needed to get to chapter 2!! A disgrace.....David Thorpe and Sandbrook himself did a wonderful job....not this idiot.

Narrator a disgrace

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