Customer Reviews
An absorbing read - By: MacAvity, 17 Aug 2008 
I think this book is very instructive, let alone excellent value-for-money.
But the title is not quite accurate. A far better one might have been:
White Heat: (Largely) a History of Englandin the Swinging Sixties.
Although two chapters are devoted to Northern Ireland, there are few references to Scotland & Wales. Whereas my view of the book's `English' perspective is, I believe, vindicated most clearly by the final quote at the end of The Epilogue.
So the Welsh & the Scots could have grounds to be cross.
In addition, do note that Mr Sandbrook's work is really a textbook for serious students rather than a casual read for ordinary punters (like I). In several places the narrative suffers from the author using an obscure word with more than one meaning where a familiar word with a precise meaning would have been preferable.
This habit may not be challenging to regular readers of political journals like The Spectator or The New Statesman (whose contributors appear to revelin fancy words & terminology); but lesser mortals could find White Heat a splendid (if tedious) vocabulary builder, & will thus require both determination & a jolly good dictionary to benefit most from it.
As Mr Sandbrook is no David Coleman or Kenneth Wolstenholme the prosaic commentaries of England's World Cup victory over West Germanyin 1966 & their defeat by the same opponentsin 1970 should have been omitted. It would have sufficed to state the outcome of each match & the fact that Harold Wilson had long entertained the notion that the fate of his government wasin some eldritch way inextricably entwined with that of the England squad.
Besides, although the book has been painstakingly researched, with only one inaccuracy that I spotted - namely a reference to comedians `Frank & Bernie Winters' (sic) - this story of Britain (England) from 1964 to 1970 suffers from a lack of vividness that might have come across had the author himself lived through the period concerned, even as a child. But since (I believe that) Mr Sandbrook was bornin 1974 such vividness is obviously absent.
However, despite these criticisms, because White Heat is so stock full of important facts & amusing anecdotes I can heartily recommend it as a worthwhile purchase - especially for those like myself who recall the sixties only vaguely & who wish to be reminded of all the salient points by someone who definitely knows his stuff.
A lesson in how to write history - By: Alan Lenton, 13 Apr 2008 
There is something almost voyeuristic about reading the history of a period that you lived through! This is a fine book that is readable, comprehensive & covers not only the outward manifestations but also the underlying causes of events. That's something that is remarkably difficult to do when you are covering such a recent period, but the author manages it with an appearance of ease.
There are places where I disagree with the analysis - for instance the interplay of personalities, events & environmentin the Northern Ireland. I don't agree that Ian Paisley happened to bein the right place at the right moment to inflame the protestant population against the mild reforms being undertaken. Paisley was a product of the history & environment of Northern Ireland - if he hadn't been there, someone else would have fulfilled the role.
Quibbles aside this is contemporary history at its best, & well worth a read.
Unreservedly recommended.
Superbly ordered, exceptionally written popular history book - By: Mr. R. Lewin, 07 Mar 2008 These are my comments on the two books, Never Had It So Good & White Heat, taken as one:
Generally, they are excellent. I thought it was a misprint when I read that the author was bornin 1974. For someone younger than me to have written these books is incredible; he must have a brain the size of Pluto.
He comes across as an author with common sense, someone who thinks logically & is not swayed by leftist attitudes & political correctness. That could explain why some lefties have slated his books, because it exposes how ludicrous their perspective on historical & political & social issues is.
Pretty much everything is covered: politics, music, TV, film, fashion, architecture, women's issues, technology, religion & so on. I would like to have seen more pornography & crime but then wouldn't we all.
Criticisms would be nit-picking really, because this is just such a good, eminently readable book. The author has a wise head, & although I might disagree with him on minor details, he is someone to listen to. No wonder he is a teacher - I am sure he's an excellent one.
Respect to Dominic! - By: Chubworth, 21 Feb 2008 I am an historian by training & can do nothing but fall down & worship at the feet of one who has managed such an incredible job not only of researching the stuffin the first place but then arranging the materialin such an intelligent manner. And one so young! Dominic - respect due!
Excellent account of sixties Britain - By: Stephen T. Lowrey, 08 Nov 2007 Excellent book, very entertaining - a must for all those intrigued by post-war British history both cultural & political. Dominic Sandbrook is a genius!
Great book, well written, look forward to 'Seasons of Discontent'.
