Our Island Story (Complete)

By: H. E. Marshall

Narrated by: Daniel Philpott, Anna Bentinck

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

H. E. Marshall’s classic children’s chronicle of Britain, Our Island Story, includes all the best-loved (and most infamous!) stories from history: King Alfred and the cakes, King John and the Magna Carta, Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada, and many others. This recording contains the complete and unabridged text, released previously in separate volumes. It is read with aplomb by Anna Bentinck and Daniel Philpott.

©2008 Naxos Audiobook (P)2008 Naxos Audiobook

This IS COMPLETE

Unlike another reviewer said, this version IS COMPLETE. It contains all 110 chapters that are in the book. Being Americans, I also appreciate my children being able to hear a British accent, unlike other versions. We are listening to this as part of the AmblesideOnline curriculum. We LOVE the stories!

NOT Complete at all!

What would have made Our Island Story (Complete) better?

This only has 34 of 110 chapters. When it says complete, I expect complete.

History in a nutshell

What made the experience of listening to Our Island Story (Complete) the most enjoyable?

I wanted to learn more about our heritage, and this gives a great start without all the intricate (and sometimes boring) bits.

What other book might you compare Our Island Story (Complete) to, and why?

Grown up history books can be so complicated, this is a great timeline of British History in a very manageable style.

What about Daniel Philpott and Anna Bentinck ’s performance did you like?

Although this is a childrens book the narration is great to listen to even as an adult

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How great is our nation

Any additional comments?

I love the bit in the introduction that says 'when you find out how much has been left untold in this little book, do not be cross, but remember that, when you very small, you would not have been able to ubderstand things that seem quite simple and very interesting to you as you grow older.'

Interesting and excellent value

Would you listen to Our Island Story (Complete) again? Why?

Yes! We have listened to it lots of times. It's a great story but also super educational. My children really enjoy it, and so do I.

What other book might you compare Our Island Story (Complete) to, and why?

The Story of the World is a similar look at history but throughout the world, rather than just Britain.

Good but it is for kids

I read this maybe when I was about 11 or 12 and when I saw it got it for nostalgic reasons. It does give a brief history of Britain and the narration is fine but it is for children. As an adult you'll find it to be too brief and also it's summary of someone being a "bad" man somewhat childish. If you want a more adult British history book then go for Dave Starkey's Crown and Country.

Great for kids though :-)

Historical History

I had this book as a child in the early '60s and adored it, it was the kind of history that was still being taught in Primary Schools, certainly in mine. It should be remembered that that 1905 when the book was written we were at the height of Empire and brim full of confidence that 'Empire' was a benevolence of which we must all be proud and children especially must be educated to believe this was so. It is in the light of this that I thoroughly recommend this listen for it is delivered in the style it was written, simplistically, but also with the conviction and style that suggests much substance but dubious truth it is a beginning and at my age an end.

Inaccurate and infantile

If you have any sense or knowledge of history please don't download this. It is badly written and inaccurate on many points. We managed to bear the first chapter before giving up and moving on to David Starkey's Monarchy which both children and adults enjoyed much more