This Sovereign Isle cover art

This Sovereign Isle

Britain in and out of Europe

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About this listen

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.

©2021 Robert Tombs (P)2021 Penguin Audio 21st Century Europe Great Britain Modern Politics & Government Capitalism Socialism Imperialism United Kingdom Taxation Soviet Union
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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 .

facts not biased dogma

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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

A must read

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Makes a change to hear a well articulated view on Brexit and its causes that reflects the majority of many people's views. It also lays out the EU's many flaws which many remainers refuse to accept or acknowledge. Well narrated.

Very succinct and enjoyable listen.

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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!

Intellectually Rigorous!

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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

Don’t agree with many parts but a must read

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