Britain's Contested History

Recent years have seen a re-examination of Britain’s imperialist past, with changes to how its citizens understand, study and scrutinize its history.In Britain's Contested History, eminent historian Bernard Porter explores the most contested aspects of British history from 1800 to the present day. Examining issues such as Brexit, recent reassessments of Winston Churchill’s historical record, the so-called 'culture wars' and Britain’s uncomfortable reckoning with its imperial past, the book reconsiders what it means to be a “patriot” in Britain.

“"This is an intelligent, thoughtful and well-written book that will keep the reader engaged as it explores the complexities of the British past and its difficult relationship with contemporary politics and politicians. Porter's argument that dumbed-down history is part and parcel of dumbed-down politics should serve as a salutary warning whenever a politician or media pundit claims that 'History shows us this'. Because History actually shows us many different things, none of which are simple and straight forward." -- Richard Finlay, Professor of Scottish History at the University of Strathclyde, UK "Amounting to an engrossing and intensely-engaged meditation on the ways in which Britain and its multiple histories have given birth to a tide of highly varied patriotic currents, Bernard Porter's latest book is characteristically smart, keenly probing and briskly readable. Its lesson ? The full meaning of patriotism is not to be understood by simply relighting the lamps of a self-congratulatory national past." -- Bill Nasson, Emeritus Professor in History, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa "An enjoyable retelling of Britain's 'island story' from a historian of Britain and its sense of itself. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the ways that history, and what it might mean to be British in the early 21st century, has been appropriated by the populist, nationalist right." -- Lucy Noakes, Rab Butler Chair in Modern History, University of Essex, UK”

[Contains] many eye-opening factoids … Fascinating. -- Christopher Bray The Tablet
This is an intelligent, thoughtful and well-written book that will keep the reader engaged as it explores the complexities of the British past and its difficult relationship with contemporary politics and politicians. Porter's argument that dumbed-down history is part and parcel of dumbed-down politics should serve as a salutary warning whenever a politician or media pundit claims that 'History shows us this'. Because History actually shows us many different things, none of which are simple and straight forward. Richard Finlay, Professor of Scottish History at the University of Strathclyde, UK
Amounting to an engrossing and intensely-engaged meditation on the ways in which Britain and its multiple histories have given birth to a tide of highly varied patriotic currents, Bernard Porter’s latest book is characteristically smart, keenly probing and briskly readable. Its lesson ? The full meaning of patriotism is not to be understood by simply relighting the lamps of a self-congratulatory national past. Bill Nasson, Emeritus Professor in History, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
An enjoyable retelling of Britain's 'island story' from a historian of Britain and its sense of itself. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the ways that history, and what it might mean to be British in the early 21st century, has been appropriated by the populist, nationalist right. Lucy Noakes, Rab Butler Chair in Modern History, University of Essex, UK

Bernard Porter is Emeritus Professor of Modern History, University of Newcastle, UK. He is a regular contributor to LRB, TLS, Literary Review, Guardian, History Today, academic journals and has lectured around the world. Alongside this, he has also appeared on national radio and television shows. He is based in Stockholm, Sweden. His book, Absent-Minded Imperialists: Empire, Society, and Culture in Britain (2004) won the American Historical Association's Morris D. Forkosch Prize in 2005.

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