Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 11:44 am
At an Amazon store near you…A Bit About Britain’s History will be released as an e-book on 23 August and, hopefully at roughly the same time, a paperback too. The e-book is available for pre-order now for less than the price of a pint; and, really, that’s not too bad, is it? In fact, if you drink wine by the glass it’s an absolute bargain. The paperback will, inevitably, cost a little more; but will provide you with a tangible treasure to be cherished forever. And it will probably still be cheaper than a glass of wine in many pubs.
From what I can make out (and I’m feeling my way with all this publishing stuff), the e-book version of A Bit About Britain’s History is available via Amazon’s UK, US, Australian, Canadian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Indian, Japanese, Brazilian and Mexican sites. The paperback will be available only via Amazon in the UK, US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Japan. Sorry about that…
So what’s it all about?
“The past is us. It was also so totally different from anything you have experienced.”
When A Bit About Britain was created, first as a hesitant blog, then as a slightly more ambitious website, it was clear that some historical background was needed. If you’re visiting a castle, stately home, monument, or whatever, knowing a bit about the history helps put everything in context. Events, people and places come more alive, you start seeing how they all join up and, maybe, get a glimpse of the twisted path behind that brought us to where we are.
So a few articles about British history were tentatively written for the website. Timelines were added. Every now and again, bits have been updated. Put them all together in a single volume and you’ve got A Bit About Britain’s History – a brief, distinctly unacademic and occasionally quirky introduction to Britain’s story. It’s quite a tale, from footsteps across a land that is now under the sea to the digital age.
Maybe A Bit About Britain’s History could be a selective reminder of what you might have learned at school, possibly even something for a younger reader to give a little background for a new term. Or perhaps you’re coming to the subject fresh and want to understand something of how Britain evolved without getting into too much detail.
Just one thing: if you do risk buying the book, and by some miracle enjoy it, please leave a glowing review on Amazon. If you don’t enjoy it, send me an email and I’ll try to do better next time.
It’s on my Wish List for Christmas.
Well done Mike, I’m sure it will do well 🙂
All the best Jan
Thanks, Jan. Had a few glitches, but we’ll get there!
Huzzah, Mike. This sounds wonderful. I’m a customer.
That’s great, Lee – thank you!
Well done, I hope it sells well. Your writing deserves a wider read 🙂
Thank you, CP – that’s very generous!
Congratulations, Mike. That is a huge achievement, as it takes much hard work. All energy for the launch and abundant sales.
Thanks very much, Jane – appreciated – I certainly need to get some energy from somewhere!
Hugs Mike, as they help too. x
Hugs are enormously helpful and always appreciated – thank you, Jane! x
I’ll buying it for sure! If the writing is half as fun as your blog, it’ll be a huge hit!
Oh – now you’ve got me worried, Jeanie!!
Cool! Congrats
Thanks Mac!
Oh, how exciting, how exciting! I do dislike ebooks, but of course I’ll buy it anyway – good luck with it, Mike!
Thanks Lisa!
How wonderful! Good luck with the book!
Thank you, Nikki!
Cannot wait!!!!!!
Much appreciated, Debs!
Congratulations, Mike! I will be buying the paperback.
Thank you very much, Clare!
My very great pleasure, Mike.
Congratulations!
Thanks, Tanja!
Well done Mike…. If you had said it would cost me a bottle of wine I might have had reservations…. I think I can stretch to a glass!
Thank you. What about a cheap bottle of wine?
Done deal though I will need to finish Ackroyd’s Biography of London first. It would have benefited from a good edit/cull. I really enjoyed it at the beginning but it is getting a bit repetitive/predictable now (perhaps like my NK reviews lol) that I am about half way through. He is ‘trying’ to hard to convey the city as different than other places in areas where it really isn’t not. Anyway still worth persevering.
Ah – if you’re into serious writers like Peter Ackroyd you’ll find A Bit about Britain’s History a bit superficial. It’s meant to be – but you could maybe wait for the DVD… 🙂
Will I read a lot about London my knowledge on the rest of the first is extremely superficial so I look forward to your take. Also I admire people with the dedication to write a book as I know I couldn’t do it.
I’m sure you could!
Well done Mike!
Thanks, Fraggle!
Brilliant news. Off to pre-order both.
Thank you kindly, Frank; I need to check the proof of the paperback.
You are to be congratulated Mike. I like the variation on “If you like it tell your friends, if not tell us”
Thanks, Derrick!
Yay! I shall put the paperback on my Amazon wishkist. After all, Christmas is only four months away.
Thank you, Meike. Christmas?! – bah humbug!
Brilliant Mike … so good to know it’s coming out – I look forward to reading it. Congratulations – cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary!
Congratulations. That’s not an easy thing to do.
Thanks, April. It is – I’m sure I’ve probably messed up somewhere!
The proof of the pudding …
True – scary stuff!
How excitng
It is – and nerve-wracking!
Well done Mike. I think I’ll have a large glass of wine on your behalf – or should I buy the book instead?
Thanks, Malc. Go for the wine. Or read the book and have a large glass to get over the experience!
super news!
Thanks Helen; it won’t match up to ‘1066 And All That’ – but it does have more than two dates.
Bravo!
Thanks, William!
Fabulous!! Well done, Mike. Can’t wait to read it. I’m sure it will be marvellous.
Thanks Helen – I’m pretty terrified, frankly..!
It sounds good Mike, I’ll certainly be getting the paperback version when it’s available – will it come with any awful jokes?? 🙂
Thank you very much, Eunice; it does contain a couple of daft remarks…
Congrats on the upcoming book! Dumb question : why is the paperback version not available on Amazon Canada? I cannot figure out why Canada have such a lousy selection of books from authors from other countries…
Thank you – it’s probably something to do with local agreements Amazon has and my choice of paper or book size. But I will possibly look into wider publishing later.
Congratulations, Mike!!
Thanks, GP!
Well done Mike. I’m glad to hearitis in paperback format.
Thank you, Marie!
This is wonderful news. Congratulations!! A valuable resource for anyone.
Thanks, Darlene – I hope so!
That’s great news sir! I’ll want to read this.
Thanks, John!
And I will be getting a paperback too!! Yea Mike! (Long, standing ovation!!)
One copy will probably be quite enough, Judy! Thank you (wan smile).
Wonderful!! Can I have my copy e-autographed?
Of course – er – any idea which box I tick to do that? 🙂
That sounds good as I don’t catch up with all your blogs, now I could have handy history on my Kindle.
Thanks Janet – I never have time to read all the wonderful stuff out there.