A History of Britain in 21 Paintings

An illuminating history of Britain in 21 paintings by bestselling historian Alice Loxton In this lively and illuminating book, bestselling historian Alice Loxton travels across Britain in search of twenty-one extraordinary paintings. From an image carried by St Augustine when he arrived on our shores in 597AD and a glittering portrait of a Tudor queen to Stubbs' majestic rendering of Whistlejacket and L.S. Lowry's depictions of daily life in Bolton, each painting in this transformative history illuminates key moments in our island's story. These are tales of foundation, revolution, upheaval and resilience. Along the way, Loxton visits locations that have shaped the lives of these extraordinary works of art: a winding riverbank, a local supermarket, a secret mountain quarry, a bustling hospital. She is joined by a rich cast of characters, including conservators, pub locals and a fearsome dragon, and discovers the stories behind some of Britain's most fascinating myths (who really was St George? Did the people of the Middle Ages think the world was flat? What was the Pineapple Craze? Why do Scots wear tartan?). This is a sweeping, joyful history that will inspire you to explore the wonders of Britain and change the way you look at paintings for ever. ___________ 'An entertaining, illuminating tour of British history filled with delightful stories, witty anecdotes and an abundance of remarkable paintings' Terry Deary 'A champion of British heritage in full voice. Join the most enthusiastic of tour guides, Alice Loxton, as she highlights the profound visual histories to be found in every corner of the land' Luke Sherlock 'A glittering jewel-box of a book . . . Alice Loxton guides us not only through national history, but also the amazing stories of the nation's most enduring art-works and their preservation. Delightful, engaging, packed with surprising by-ways and endlessly illuminating.' Sinclair McKay