Why people recommend it
The English and their history by Robert Tombs is a comprehensive, sprawling historical survey that traces the evolution of English identity and national development across the centuries. On Conversations with Tyler, Tyler Cowen lauded the work as his absolute favorite nonfiction book of its publishing year, noting that numerous listeners frequently asked him for similar recommendations as a testament to its profound impact on readers. On The Book Review, Pamela Paul frequently discussed reading the massive volume over an extended period. She noted that the book offered a strikingly fresh perspective on historical events such as the American Revolution by examining them explicitly through a British lens, which fundamentally challenged conventional historical narratives. Paul reflected on how the meticulous research and engaging prose made the extensive reading journey worthwhile, providing deep insights into political structures and societal shifts. Across these conversations, the book was consistently recommended for its ambitious scope, intellectual rigor, and ability to reshape how audiences understand centuries of political and social transformation.
Who recommended it
- Pamela Paul Discussed
- Tyler Cowen Recommended
- Greg Coles Discussed
Pamela Paul — 6 mentions
“and it reminded me of a book that I talked about on the podcast about a year ago the English and their history by Robert Toms which is also had had its period where it looks at the American Revolution from the perspective of the British and you really see it a totally different way from the way that it”
“and it reminded me of a book that I talked about on the podcast about a year ago the English and their history by Robert Toms which is also had had its period where it looks at the American Revolution from the perspective of the British and you really see it a totally different way from the way that it”
“so I'm reading the English and their history by Robert Toms”
“so I'm reading the English and their history by Robert Toms”
“I would probably be with us for a while and and I and I think I will be because I'm only about well in honesty I'm not halfway through the book which is the English and their history by Robert Toms”
“I would probably be with us for a while and and I and I think I will be because I'm only about well in honesty I'm not halfway through the book which is the English and their history by Robert Toms”
Tyler Cowen — 2 mentions
“The best was the Robert Tombs book about English history. Since that blog post, so many people have come to me and said, "Can you recommend to me other books like the Robert Tombs book?" Which is a sign it really hit people in a good way. That was probably the clear winner for best book of that year, and”
“The best was the Robert Tombs book about English history. Since that blog post, so many people have come to me and said, "Can you recommend to me other books like the Robert Tombs book?" Which is a sign it really hit people in a good way. That was probably the clear winner for best book of that year, and”
Greg Coles — 2 mentions
“the book I'm reading is Robert toms's the English and their history”
“the book I'm reading is Robert toms's the English and their history”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“well the book I'm actually reading I feel like I I'll be talking about for the next seven podcast so I'm not going to talk about it now other than to say that it's big and it's long and it's called the English and their history by Robert Toms so you'll hear about that in future episodes”
“well the book I'm actually reading I feel like I I'll be talking about for the next seven podcast so I'm not going to talk about it now other than to say that it's big and it's long and it's called the English and their history by Robert Toms so you'll hear about that in future episodes”