10 Best British History Books UK 2023 | David Olusoga, Alison Weir and more

Focusing on a specific period may provide detail, and looking at history through a specific social lens enables forgotten voices to emerge. But sometimes, you need a brief overview of the whole story. 

From the forging of Britain by Saxon invaders, all the way up to recent years, Jenkins weaves together a selection of significant facts and moments in British history to create a highly readable narrative. You won't get everything here, but if you want a concise yet fascinating history of our sceptred isle, this is it!

Our school education ensures that aspects of the British historical narrative are familiar to all of us, but the history of Britain's black population is far too frequently overshadowed by white stories, despite the two being so inextricably entwined. As this book shows, Black history is everyone's history.

Olusoga shines light on some startling historical omissions. For example, it's rarely acknowledged that Black Britons fought at Trafalgar and in both world wars. It's shocking oversights such as these that mark a need for change, one that this book will surely play an important part in. 

The subject of History, reliant as it is on dates and facts, has acquired the unfortunate reputation of being stuffy and a little dull. It's a reputation that's unjustified, and this book is sure to silence the naysayers.

Pages decorated with beautifully coloured illustrations and easily digestible paragraphs lead you chronologically through Britain's history, offering insight intro historical moments from the Stone Age to the present day. It's the perfect guide for those who prefer breadth over depth, and are looking for something that isn't too dense. 

Over a century later, the identity of Jack the Ripper remains shrouded in mystery. Despite the fact that we know their names, the lives of the women he murdered have remained just as mysterious, overshadowed by the spectre of the Ripper himself. 

This book attempts to redress the balance by bringing the stories of these five women to life, ensuring that they live on as more than just tabloid headlines. Rubenhold shines a light on the the Victorian misogyny that endures to this day in the way we discuss Jack the Ripper.

The so-called 'dark ages' have an unfortunate reputation for being smelly and unsophisticated, but is this really true? Strap yourselves in, as this book takes you on a whirlwind trip to England in the fourteenth century. 

This is a highly accessible book that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. Rather than read about history, you'll get as close as possible to experiencing it yourself. You'll receive great advice on everything from where to stay, what to eat, and along with the smells, you'll experience the sights and sounds of Medieval England. 

Don't be mislead by the title - this book is not about the Tudor queen, but about our own monarch, whose crowning marked the age of the 'New Elizabethans'. Have you ever wondered how future generations might perceive us? This book has the answer.

Marr's work shines a light on the monumental events and remarkable people that our nation has been witness to over the past seven decades. With figures as varied as David Attenborough, David Olusoga, and The Beatles all receiving due recognition, this is truly a book for the ages. 

We have a somewhat complicated relationship with empire here in the UK, perhaps as it seems responsible for everything that's great and not so great about Britain. This book demonstrates that, regardless of your feelings, imperialism is undeniably interwoven into the fabric of our society.

Rather than solely recount events that occurred on British soil, Empireland tells the story of how our small island has interacted with and conquered much of the world. Far from weaving an Anglocentric narrative, Sanghera instead gives voice to the many different people who have, for better or worse, become part of the British Empire.

So little is known about William Shakespeare that any biography must resort either to wild speculation, or a list of rather uninspiring facts that fail to satisfy our image of the transcendent playwright. Shapiro's book sits somewhere in the middle, creating a fascinating account of one of our country's most tumultuous years and weaving it together with the little we know for sure about Shakespeare's life. 

The result is a captivating book that fills in the blanks, making highly educated guesses as to how Shakespeare might have responded to these historical events, and how they might have informed his plays.

Contemporary attitudes of acceptance towards people of different sexualities continue to progress, and one could be forgiven for thinking that we are living in a revolutionary age. This book proves otherwise.

Ackroyd recounts a queer history that spans thousands of years, and reveals that our increasing acceptance is not particularly novel, as attitudes have fluctuated in an 'endless loop of alternating permissiveness and censure' for thousands of years. It's a rich history full of liberation and tragedy, making this book an essential read for everyone.

The Tudors are an integral part of the British school curriculum, so most people know at least a little about Henry VIII. This book is for those that want to go beyond the beheadings and the separation with Rome.

It's rather dense, so perhaps not suited to those looking for a brief summary. But for those with an invested interest in Old Coppernose, it's the definitive chronicling of his life from coronation to death, and the closest you'll get to spending time with the king himself.