These Isles - A history of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

An inventive new look at the entwined histories of Britain and Ireland's nations - and the people who have called them home.
Brian Groom, author of the bestselling Northerners, reveals a colourful and often-contested story of the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others who have occupied these islands, along with their culture, languages and passions.
Groom explores the role of religion and the British Empire, international diasporas and internal migration, gender relations and war in this entertaining narrative.
With forays into popular culture, sport, music, language, literature and art, These Isles stretches from 800,000-year-old footprints on a Norfolk beach to the changing fortunes of the early 21st century. It offers a uniquely rich and kaleidoscopic vision of the shared stories of people across Britain and Ireland - past and present.

About the author

Brian Groom is a journalist and a leading expert on British regional and national affairs. His career was spent mainly at the Financial Times, where he was assistant editor. He lives in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester. His first book, Northerners, was a Waterstones History Book of the Year.

Product details

• Authors: Brian Groom
• Publisher: Harper Collins Uk
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 26.02.2026
• EAN: 9780008608569
• ISBN: 978-0-00-860856-9
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 240 mm x 23 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; European History, Nationalism, HISTORY / Historical Geography, TRAVEL / Europe / Great Britain, British & Irish history, United Kingdom, Great Britain, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, History of other geographical groupings and regions, History of other lands, Regional government, Regional, state & other local government