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White Heat

A History of Britain in the Swinging Sixties

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White Heat

By: Dominic Sandbrook
Narrated by: Dominic Sandbrook, Roger Davis
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Harold Wilson's famous reference to 'white heat' captured the optimistic spirit of a society in the midst of breathtaking change. From the gaudy pleasures of Swinging London to the tragic bloodshed in Northern Ireland, from the intrigues of Westminster to the drama of the World Cup, British life seemed to have taken on a dramatic new momentum.

The memories, images and colourful personalities of those heady times still resonate today: mop-tops and mini-skirts, strikes and demonstrations, Carnaby Street and Kings Road, Harold Wilson and Edward Heath, Mary Quant and Jean Shrimpton, Enoch Powell and Mary Whitehouse, Marianne Faithfull and Mick Jagger.

In this wonderfully rich and readable historical narrative, Dominic Sandbrook looks behind the myths of the Swinging Sixties to unearth the contradictions of a society caught between optimism and decline.©2006 Dominic Sandbrook 20th Century Europe Great Britain Modern Winston Churchill Royalty Socialism
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Critic reviews

An active pleasure to read. This is a deftly written and evocative account of the day before yesterday
A substantial contribution to our understanding of the social and political history of modern Britain
This is history of a commendably inclusive range
All stars
Most relevant
I’ve read this book several times so was pleased to see it turned into an audiobook, especially as I’ve listened to Dominic Sandbrook’s excellent books on the 70s repeatedly.

However, I’m struggling to get past the narration. I find the style off putting and feel like I’m listening to a reading of Wind In The Willows for children.

I would have much preferred Sandbrook himself or the excellent David Thorpe.

Wonderful social history let down by narration

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Why does the narrator put on ridiculous accents. When, for example, reading out something John Lennon said, it’s utterly cringeworthy. Same for his Tony Benn, Harold Wilson and every other character. Ruins an otherwise good book.

Good book ruined by awful narration

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Well researched and packed with detail. A bit heavy on the political inside baseball of the Wilson premiership, but if you're a political junkie then this is no bad thing. My favourite section was the background to The Troubles in Northern Ireland, much of which I was unfamiliar with. The narrator does a good job with all the accents.

Interesting chronicle of a seminal decade.

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Although I lived through those times it is through this book that I know what REALY HAPPENED very interesting listen.

Memories

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Fantastic work. So informative and easy to listen to. I look forward to working through the rest of the series

Tour de force

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