Two of the greatest ever novelists both wrote histories of England. This book brings these virtually unknown pieces together for the first time.
Calling herself a 'partial, prejudiced and ignorant historian', Jane Austen launches into her satirical history of England. With breathtaking speed and an admirable lack of dates, she wields her trademark wit to disrespectfully summarise the career of every monarch from Henry IV to Charles I. Rarely seen, this is an entertaining and insightful look at the early talent of sixteen year old Austen.
Dickens' gory and dramatic history is full of villains and heroes. He sketches the lives of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I with typically flamboyant twists and turns. It is a hugely evocative piece, both of the history he conjures up and of the time he was writing in.
David Starkey's fascinating introduction reveals his opinion of Austen and Dickens, and of their skill as historians. He looks at what inspired each writer, and also compares their histories with the more traditional chronicles of England.
