Two Histories of England

By Jane Austen and Charles Dickens

Nonfiction, History, British, Fiction & Literature, Essays & Letters, Essays, Entertainment, Humour & Comedy, General Humour
Cover of the book Two Histories of England by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, HarperCollins e-books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens ISBN: 9780061871528
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books Publication: October 13, 2009
Imprint: HarperCollins e-books Language: English
Author: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
ISBN: 9780061871528
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books
Publication: October 13, 2009
Imprint: HarperCollins e-books
Language: English

In these two forgotten gems of English literature, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens offer delightful, irreverent histories of their native land.

When she was only sixteen years old, Jane Austen composed her bitingly satirical History of England for performance in her family's drawingroom. A startling and precocious example of her celebrated wit—not to mention a brilliant social commentary—this lively piece sweeps rapidly across almost four centuries of British monarchy. In rambunctious and wickedly funny prose, Austen's critique spans from Henry IV to Charles I, from Richard III to Mary Queen of Scots, offering a fierce parody of the kind of biased history that young ladies of Austen's time were being forced to study. Reproduced here in its entirety, this is a rare, tantalizing look at the great novelist's budding talent, and an extraordinary bit of literary history that lay unpublished for more than 130 years.

Charles Dickens's A Child's History of England, by contrast, was written and published at the height of its author's considerable fame. A gory and dramatic account, full of villains and heroes, the essay was originally intended as a study-piece for his children, but in fact represented a sly, unconventional countertext to the more straitlaced historical canon. Dickens's exciting, flamboyant narrative is hugely evocative, both of the history he describes and of the time in which he himself was writing.

With an insightful introduction by bestselling historian David Starkey, Two Histories of England brings together, in a single, irresistible volume, these remarkable—and remarkably overlooked—literary treasures by two of the world's most beloved writers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In these two forgotten gems of English literature, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens offer delightful, irreverent histories of their native land.

When she was only sixteen years old, Jane Austen composed her bitingly satirical History of England for performance in her family's drawingroom. A startling and precocious example of her celebrated wit—not to mention a brilliant social commentary—this lively piece sweeps rapidly across almost four centuries of British monarchy. In rambunctious and wickedly funny prose, Austen's critique spans from Henry IV to Charles I, from Richard III to Mary Queen of Scots, offering a fierce parody of the kind of biased history that young ladies of Austen's time were being forced to study. Reproduced here in its entirety, this is a rare, tantalizing look at the great novelist's budding talent, and an extraordinary bit of literary history that lay unpublished for more than 130 years.

Charles Dickens's A Child's History of England, by contrast, was written and published at the height of its author's considerable fame. A gory and dramatic account, full of villains and heroes, the essay was originally intended as a study-piece for his children, but in fact represented a sly, unconventional countertext to the more straitlaced historical canon. Dickens's exciting, flamboyant narrative is hugely evocative, both of the history he describes and of the time in which he himself was writing.

With an insightful introduction by bestselling historian David Starkey, Two Histories of England brings together, in a single, irresistible volume, these remarkable—and remarkably overlooked—literary treasures by two of the world's most beloved writers.

More books from HarperCollins e-books

Cover of the book Deep Sea Dead by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Reach for the Sun Vol. 3 by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Hit Parade by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book What the Other Mothers Know by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book The Scent of Desire by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book The Quest for God by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book The Heir by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book The Making of the President 1964 by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Elusive Passion by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Odalisque by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Blame It on the Rain by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Smart Vs. Pretty by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book The Scent of Sake by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
Cover of the book Because I Said So by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy