The British Imagination
A History of Ideas from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II
Published on 9. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
544 pages
978-1-3985-1391-4 (ISBN)
Description
'Extensive and intelligent . . . a guide to the nature of British intellectual curiosity' Spectator
The reign of Queen Elizabeth I ushered in an unprecedented age of exploration and discovery. Over 500 years that saw 'the greatest expansion of ideas and knowledge the world has ever seen', a small island nation, for centuries a cultural backwater, asserted itself as a world power.
Breathtaking in scope, embracing literature, science, art, religion, philosophy and politics, The British Imagination brings to life those centuries between Elizabeth I and II, and asks the provocative question - are we still living in a British 'metaphysical empire'?
From the acclaimed author of The German Genius and The French Mind, this is a lively and deeply researched history of the most influential personalities and ideas that made modern Britain.
'Intriguing insights about the contemporary Anglosphere . . . nuanced and appreciative' Financial Times
'Peter Watson has form when it comes to probing a nation's psyche . . . Ambitious and stimulating' Country Life
The reign of Queen Elizabeth I ushered in an unprecedented age of exploration and discovery. Over 500 years that saw 'the greatest expansion of ideas and knowledge the world has ever seen', a small island nation, for centuries a cultural backwater, asserted itself as a world power.
Breathtaking in scope, embracing literature, science, art, religion, philosophy and politics, The British Imagination brings to life those centuries between Elizabeth I and II, and asks the provocative question - are we still living in a British 'metaphysical empire'?
From the acclaimed author of The German Genius and The French Mind, this is a lively and deeply researched history of the most influential personalities and ideas that made modern Britain.
'Intriguing insights about the contemporary Anglosphere . . . nuanced and appreciative' Financial Times
'Peter Watson has form when it comes to probing a nation's psyche . . . Ambitious and stimulating' Country Life
Reviews / Votes
'The "imagination" of Watson's title is not merely the creative artistic imagination, but also that of scientists and inventors . . . he is right to conclude that the historic significance of Britain in these fields is immense . . . nuanced . . . intelligent' -- Simon Heffer * <i>Spectator</i> * 'This book is a grand endeavour in every sense . . . Watson offers a kaleidoscopic, often provocative insight into British intellectual and social development over the centuries' -- Alexander Larman * <i>Observer</i> * 'This is a book with much to offer - Watson highlights the role of scientific innovation in shaping British identity, gives intriguing insights about the contemporary Anglosphere and delivers a nuanced and appreciative account of the post-imperial and migrant contribution to modern English writing' -- Rowan Williams * <I>Financial Times</I> * 'Peter Watson has form when it comes to probing a nation's psyche . . . It is an ambitious and often stimulating book' * <I>Country Life</I> * 'The book has an easy style and an often compelling and not unimpressive narrative' * <i>TLS</i> *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
none
Dimensions
Height: 193 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
384 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3985-1391-4 (9781398513914)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2025
Simon & Schuster Ltd
€37.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
E-Book
05/2025
Simon + Schuster LLC
€12.89
Available for download
Person
Peter Watson is a journalist, television presenter and historian of ideas. He was a senior editor of the Sunday Times, New York correspondent of The Times and a columnist for the Observer. He has written for multiple publications, including the New York Times and Spectator. His books, which have been translated into more than 25 languages, include Ideas: A History from Fire to Freud, The German Genius, The French Mind and Convergence: The Idea at the Heart of Science.