These Isles

A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

By: Brian Groom

Narrated by: Hugh Kermode

An inventive new look at the entwined histories of Britain and Ireland’s nations – and the people who have called them home.

Acclaimed author and journalist Brian Groom reveals the colourful and often-contested history of the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others who have occupied these islands, along with their culture, languages and passions.

Packed with surprise and insight, These Isles explores the role of religion, the British Empire, international diasporas and internal migration, gender relations and war in a nuanced and 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 twenty-first century. It offers a uniquely rich and kaleidoscopic vision of the shared stories of people across Britain and Ireland – past and present.

©2026 Brian Groom (P)2026 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

‘A combined history of these four fascinating and turbulent nations makes sense, and that’s just what Mancunian author Brian Groom has so entertainingly provided … The book offers an exhilarating bird’s eye view of these four nations, shifting our attention away from London, from kings and parliaments, and moving us further west and north.’ Daily Mail

'Brian Groom’s whistlestop reminder of the tensions which have always existed between the peoples of these isles could hardly be more timely.' James Hawes

'At last a history of the peoples of Britain in the plural, long overdue.' Simon Jenkins

'Brian Groom's fascinating history tells a rich story of emigration and immigration, of the constant intermingling and merging of peoples and cultures, and of periodic conflicts. It's an eloquent, well-researched narrative that provides a vital rebuke to the extremists now claiming ownership of national flags.' Philip Stephens

'Concise, stylish, scholarly. This book doesn’t follow the drumbeat of any particular theory of history and is all the better for it. … Fits the bill perfectly.' Scotsman

Praise for Brian Groom’s Northerners…

‘Entertaining and informative. … Avoids sentimentality and stereotypes. … Groom keeps his history admirably down to earth.’ The Times, Book of the Week

‘A definitive new chronicle of the region, the first to appear this century.’ The Mirror

‘Comprehensive and highly readable.’ Financial Times

‘A rich and kaleidoscopic history of a region, its landscape, industries, culture and people. Northerners is rigorous, digressive, discursive, always entertaining and enlightening.’ Stuart Maconie

‘An essential writer on politics and business and a tireless champion of the north.’ George Parker

‘A measured and essential voice in these compromised times.’ Adam Boulton

‘Few people are better placed to write the story of northerners. One of journalism’s most astute observers of the state of Britain.’ Helen Pidd