From Stonehenge to the Shard

A Short History of British Architecture

'Provocative, elegant, intriguing - Jenkins is a bold, imaginative writer, brilliant at challenging old assumptions and encouraging you to look at British architecture in a new light' Rory Stewart 
 
 
The story of Britain is revealed through its buildings, and yet the language of architecture is a mystery to all but a few. In this enlightening history, spanning castles and cathedrals to factories and railway stations, Jenkins translates the hidden narratives infused in the facades we walk past every day. 
 
Britain’s history has been formed by its politics, religion and society and these influences can be seen in the architectural styles that have shaped its landscape. From pre-Roman and the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, Classical and Gothic styles surged and retreated from favour only to then be challenged by a new player: Modernism, a style that reflected the stunning technological advances of the second half of the twentieth century. 
 
In this narrative history, Simon Jenkins – the bestselling champion of our national heritage – introduces us to the singular, eccentric and sometimes rather ordinary characters who shaped Britain. Jenkins teaches readers to see the world anew, demystifying the elitist language of architecture so that we can all appreciate the buildings around us.

Provocative, elegant, intriguing - Jenkins is a bold, imaginative writer, brilliant at challenging old assumptions and encouraging you to look at British architecture in a new light

A brilliant read and the perfect Christmas gift for that certain impossible-to-buy-for person

He is at heart an architectural enthusiast...extremely knowledgeable and passionate

As Simon Jenkins shows in A Short History of British Architecture, there is no neat and coherent tale to be told of a national style evolving or of the passing of a torch down the eras

Jenkins's book is full of interesting details and entertaining stories

Writing good popular history is a learned art, and Simon Jenkins has mastered it

Jenkins’s punchy book serves as both an overview of the development of our built environment (and in too many instances its obliteration) and a plea for a more profound understanding of its importance

[Jenkins] is no dry, sticks-and-stones architectural theorist and his entries are always informed by a keen eye and an enthusiast’s interest in buildings as they are used, not as they appear in plan and elevation...clear and admirably concise...a brilliant, blistering polemic against the architectural depredations of the past century

[Jenkins] has a lot of strong opinions and, although it's a short history, it's a rich one

Simon Jenkins is author of the bestselling A Short History of England, A Short History of Europe, Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations, England's Thousand Best Churches and England's Thousand Best Houses. He is a former Editor of the Evening Standard and The Times, and columnist for the Guardian.

The story of Britain is revealed through its buildings, and yet the language of architecture is a mystery to all but a few. In this enlightening history, spanning castles and cathedrals to factories and railway stations, Jenkins translates the hidden narratives infused in the facades we walk past every day. 
 
Britain’s history has been formed by its politics, religion and society and these influences can be seen in the architectural styles that have shaped its landscape. From pre-Roman and the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, Classical and Gothic styles surged and retreated from favour only to then be challenged by a new player: Modernism, a style that reflected the stunning technological advances of the second half of the twentieth century. 
 
In this narrative history, Simon Jenkins – the bestselling champion of our national heritage – introduces us to the singular, eccentric and sometimes rather ordinary characters who shaped Britain. Jenkins teaches readers to see the world anew, demystifying the elitist language of architecture so that we can all appreciate the buildings around us.

Europe’s 100 Best Cathedrals

READERS OF EUROPEAN HISTORY WILL LOVE THIS BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED BOOK! 
 
"Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europe's greatest cathedrals" John Barton, author of A History of the Bible 
 
"As ever, Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europe's greatest buildings and their settings: well-informed, elegantly opinionated and passionate" Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years 
__________________________ 
 
Europe's cathedrals are magnificent. They outstrip palaces and castles. They are the most sensational group of structures anywhere in the world - which everyone should 'see before they die'. They are also hugely popular, most of them absolutely packed. They are humankind's greatest creations. 
 
In Europe's 100 Best Cathedrals, Simon Jenkins has travelled the continent - from Chartres to York, Cologne to Florence, Toledo to Moscow and Stockholm to Seville - to illuminate old favourites and highlight new discoveries. Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, this joyous exploration of Europe's history tells the stories behind these wonders, showing the cathedral's central role in the European imagination. Readers will be inspired to make their own pilgrimage to all one hundred of them.

[A] feast of a book about the great cathedrals of Europe....His lively reactions make you long to visit or revisit these places. ..illuminating

Expertly written...a lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced coffee-table sort of book... Jenkins's expertise and lively style shine forth ... as much a to-do list as a keepsake

The architectural and artistic detail is rich, but intelligible to the non-specialist reader... At a time when European travel remains frustrating, the book occasionally makes salivating reading... this is a useful addition to the bookshelves of anyone who cares about architecture, and prompts one to reach for one's passport as swiftly as possible

This attractive book will inspire you to do more cathedral-crawling

[T]his book fulfils a real need. Here are the masterpieces of western civilisation... Sir Simon does not pretend to be a scholar or a man of faith, but his passion for the subject is irresistible. After reading this book, those of all levels of understanding will be afire to go on architectural pilgrimage... No printed work could do more to evoke the wonders of these great buildings

Simon Jenkins has provided a feast for both eyes and mind in this sumptuously illustrated guide to Europe's greatest cathedrals. His Introduction, and description of the history and architecture of each cathedral, bring the living reality of these works of art into sharp and vivid focus

John Barton, author of A History of the Bible

As ever, Simon Jenkins is here the best sort of guide to some of Europe's greatest buildings and their settings: well-informed, elegantly opinionated and passionate in his feelings for his subject. Set out on your European travels expecting to be entertained as well as informed

Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

An engaging mixture of personal recollection and grand narrative, this book introduces the reader to the astonishing variety and invention of Europe's cathedrals, from Albi to Wells. Concise accounts and beautiful images conjure up what are still, after centuries, among the largest and most complex buildings ever built

Ed Hollis, author of The Secret Lives of Buildings

Well researched, well written and perceptive - this is the essential and most inspiring guide to the greatest glories of European culture

Dan Cruickshank, author of Adventures in Architecture

This is a thrilling book. Jenkins combines formidably wide knowledge with infectious enthusiasm for these medieval marvels. A joy

Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth

Another masterly achievement by Simon Jenkins combining his inclusive vision and sharp focus, together with superb photographs, and all enlivened by his deeply felt personal perspective

Richard Harries, author of Seeing God in Art

In sparse but elegant prose Jenkins not only nails the must-see elements of these great religious treasure houses, he paints a historical and political backdrop against which they stand highlighted at the heart of our common cultural heritage

Christopher Somerville, author of Britain's Best Walks

For all the magnificent illustrations in this book, the text remains its essential heart, at once on account of Simon Jenkins's crisp summaries of architectural history, and of his infectious enthusiasm for both splendour and detail

Chris Evans, on Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations

However spectacular the book's photographs, it's the author's prowess as a phrase-maker that keeps you turning the pages

The Times, on Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations

An uplifting exploration of our social history

Guardian, on Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations

Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations

Discover the architectural gems that are Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations in this Sunday Times top 10 bestseller 
 
'This is a cracker . . . a beautiful book' Chris Evans 
 
It is the scene for our hopeful beginnings and our intended ends, and the timeless experiences of coming and going, meeting, greeting and parting. It is an institution with its own rituals and priests, and a long-neglected aspect of Britain's architecture. And yet so little do we look at the railway station. 
 
Simon Jenkins has travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain, from Waterloo to Wemyss Bay, Betws-y-Coed to Beverley, to select his hundred best railway stations. Blending his usual insight and authority with his personal reflections and experiences - including his founding the Railway Heritage Trust - the foremost expert on our national heritage deftly reveals the history, geography, design and significance of each of these glories. 
 
 Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, this joyous exploration of our social history shows the station's role in the national imagination; champions the engineers, architects and rival companies that made them possible; and tells the story behind the triumphs and follies of these very British creations. These are the marvellous, often undersung places that link our nation, celebrated like never before. 
 
'However spectacular the book's photographs, it's the author's prowess as a phrase-maker that keeps you turning the pages' The Times 
 
'An uplifting exploration of our social history' Guardian

[Spreads] enthusiasm by inviting the reader to join in a game of admiration.

A most beautiful book . . . full of information. I'd like to travel to every one of the stations. Simon Jenkins is a blessing to the nation, keeping an eye on our buildings and making sure they are not forgotten or neglected.

Jenkins has unearthed a lot of gems. The photography is stunning

This is a cracker . . . a beautiful book

Simon Jenkins extols the virtues of 100 of them, as well as offering a brief history of the rise, fall and rise again of Britain's railways. And he is the perfect person to do so. Excellent, enticing.

This glorious and utterly essential guide to Britain's best railway stations is also a history of some of the remarkable - but often undersung - landmarks to our social history

Independent, Books of the Year on 'England's Thousand Best Churches'

Every house in England should have a copy of this book

Auberon Waugh on 'England's Thousand Best Churches'

Jenkins is, like all good guides, more than simply informative: he can be courteous and rude, nostalgic and funny, elegant, convincing and relaxed'

Adam Nicolson on 'England's Thousand Best Houses'

Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book

Max Hastings on 'England's Thousand Best Houses'

Full of stand-out facts . . . absolutely fascinating

Richard Bacon on 'A Short History of England'

Full of the good judgements one might hope for from such a sensible and readable commentator, and they alone are worth perusing for pleasure and food for thought

Michael Wood on 'A Short History of England'

Jenkins has travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain's railways. Beautifully illustrated with colour photos, this is an uplifting exploration of our social history

Simon Jenkins has travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain, from Waterloo to Wemyss Bay, Betws-y-Coed to Beverley, to select his hundred best railway stations. Blending his usual insight and authority with his personal reflections and experiences - including his founding the Railway Heritage Trust - the foremost expert on our national heritage deftly reveals the history, geography, design and significance of each of these glories. 
 
 Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, this joyous exploration of our social history shows the station's role in the national imagination; champions the engineers, architects and rival companies that made them possible; and tells the story behind the triumphs and follies of these very British creations. These are the marvellous, often undersung places that link our nation, celebrated like never before.

The Creation of a World Capital

A Short History of London

LONDON: a settlement founded by the Romans, occupied by the Saxons, conquered by the Danes and ruled by the Normans. This changeful place became a medieval maze of alleys and courtyards, later to be chequered with grand estates of Georgian splendour. It swelled with industry and became the centre of the largest empire in history. And having risen from the rubble of the Blitz, it is now one of the greatest cities in the world. 
 
From the prehistoric occupants of the Thames Valley to the preoccupied commuters of today, Simon Jenkins brings together the key events, individuals and trends in London's history to create a matchless portrait of the capital. He masterfully explains the battles that determined how London was conceived and built - and especially the perennial conflict between money and power. 
 
Based in part on his experiences of and involvement in the events that shaped the post-war city, and with his trademark colour and authority, Jenkins shows above all how London has taken shape over more than two thousand years. Fascinating for locals and visitors alike, this is narrative history at its finest, from the most ardent protector of our heritage. 
 
'A handsome book ... full of the good judgements one might hope for from such a sensible and readable commentator, and they alone are worth perusing for pleasure and food for thought' Michael Wood, New Statesman on A Short History of England 
 
'Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book for Christmas...I can imagine no better companion on a voyage across England' Max Hastings, Daily Telegraph on England's Thousand Best Houses

Fascinating and timely. Truly the story of the fabric we see before us. Required reading for every developer, planner or councillor who holds London in trust today

Jenkins's handling of the preceding two millennia is clear and informative . . . there are also nuggets and insights . . . accessible, clear and readable

Simon Jenkins has written a vivid and deeply well-informed account of London's history which is throughout much enlivened by his knowledge of London's planning, buildings and topography, his admiration for terrace housing and London squares, his interest in how London has been depicted and described, and his detestation of so much insensitive modern development

Charles Saumarez Smith, Professor of Cultural History, Queen Mary University of London and former Chief Executive of the Royal Academy

Roy Porter, author of London: A Social History, on Landlords to London

'He [Jenkins] brings much knowledge and experience to his defence of those streets, in this study of the battle for "London's appearance - why it looks as it does today, more variegated and visually anarchic than any comparable city"

A handsome book ... full of the good judgements one might hope for from such a sensible and readable commentator, and they alone are worth perusing for pleasure and food for thought

Michael Wood, New Statesman on A Short History of England

Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book for Christmas...I can imagine no better companion on a voyage across England

Max Hastings, Daily Telegraph on England’s Thousand Best Houses

A short, invigorating gallop over two and a half thousand years

Simon Jenkins has written a remarkably brisk, vivid and deeply well-informed account of London's history which is throughout much enlivened by his knowledge of London's planning, buildings and topography, his admiration for terrace housing and London squares, his interest in how London has been depicted and described, and his detestation of so much insensitive modern development

Charles Saumarez Smith, Professor of Cultural History, Queen Mary University of London

'I decided I'd reduce the height of a pile of recommended books by actually reading some of them. Thus I sampled the delights of Simon Jenkins's A Short History of London

LONDON: a settlement founded by the Romans, occupied by the Saxons, conquered by the Danes and ruled by the Normans. This unremarkable place - not even included in the Domesday Book - became a medieval maze of alleys and courtyards, later to be chequered with grand estates of Georgian splendour. It swelled with industry and became the centre of the largest empire in history. And rising from the rubble of the Blitz, it is now one of the greatest cities in the world. 
 
From the prehistoric occupants of the Thames Valley to the preoccupied commuters of today, Simon Jenkins brings together the key events, individuals and trends in London's history to create a matchless portrait of the capital. Based in part on his own witness of the events that shaped the post-war city, and with his trademark colour and authority, he shows above all how London has taken shape over more than two thousand years. This is narrative history at its finest, from the most ardent protector of our heritage.

From Pericles to Putin

A Short History of Europe

Discover the history of Europe - from the Dark Ages to present day - by the author of the bestselling A Short History of England 
 
Europe is an astonishingly successful place. But it would take volumes to tell its story, right? Wrong. From warring peoples to peace, wealth and freedom, Andrew Jenkins distils its evolution into this short, single-volume history. 
 
From Greece and Rome, through the French Revolution to the Second World War and modern times. Taking in leaders such as Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Wellington and Angela Merkel. 
Sharing stories of cultural figures like Aristotle, Shakespeare and Picasso. 
 
Jenkins brings together the transformative forces and dominant eras into one chronological tale - all with his insight, colour and authority.

Simon Jenkins achieves a high ambition: a concise readable history of  two millennia of European civilisation from its discernible origins to our present perplexities. In 305 pages! . . . An immensely rewarding book from a gifted writer

Full of stand-out facts ... absolutely fascinating

Richard Bacon, BBC Radio 2, on 'A Short History of England'

Independent, Books of the Year on England's Thousand Best Churches

Jenkins is, like all good guides, more than simply informative: he can be courteous and rude, nostalgic and funny, elegant, convincing and relaxed

Adam Nicolson on 'England’s Thousand Best Houses'

Any passably cultured inhabitant of the British Isles should ask for, say, three or four copies of this book

Max Hastings on 'England’s Thousand Best Houses'

Jenkins has produced the sort of work that not only compacts people and places into manageable form but also has wit and insight enough to bring a sense of freshness even to a knowledgeable history buff

Europe has for two millennia been a remarkably successful continent. In this dazzling new history, bestselling author Simon Jenkins tells the story of its evolution from a battlefield of warring tribes to peace, wealth and freedom - a story that twists and turns from Greece and Rome, through the Middle Ages, Reformation and French Revolution, to the two World Wars and the present day. 
Jenkins embraces individuals from Julius Caesar and Joan of Arc, to Wellington and Angela Merkel, as well as cultural figures from Aristotle to Shakespeare and Picasso. Tracing themes down the ages, from youthful ambition and religious conflict to geographical constraints and invasion, he brings together the key forces and dominant periods into one chronological narrative - all with his usual insight, colour and authority. 
Despite the importance of Europe's politics, economy and culture, there has not been - until now - a concise book to tell this story. Covering the key events, eras and individuals, Jenkins' portrait of the continent could not be more timely - or more masterful.

England's Thousand Best Churches

Simon Jenkins has travelled the length and breadth of England to select his thousand best churches. Organised by county, each church is described - often with delightful asides - and given a star-rating from one to five. All of the county sections are prefaced by a map locating each church, and lavishly illustrated with colour photos from the Country Life archive. Jenkins contends that these churches house a gallery of vernacular art without equal in the world. Here, he brings that museum to public attention.

A Revolution in Three Acts

Thatcher and Sons

Simon Jenkins's brilliantly argued 'take' on the history of Britain over the past 30 years, and the most talked about political book of the autumn 2006 in Hb.

As Simon Jenkins argues in this splendidly readable and provocative account of the last thirty years, we still live in the Lady's shadow

The history of Britain in the last thirty years, under both Conservative and Labour governments, has been dominated by one figure &ndash; Margaret Thatcher. Her election marked a decisive break with the past and her premiership transformed not just her country, but the nature of democratic leadership. Simon Jenkins analyses this revolution from its beginnings in the turmoil of the 1970s through the social and economic changes of the 1980s. Was Thatcherism a mere medicine for an ailing economy or a complete political philosophy? And did it eventually fall victim to the dogmatism and control which made it possible? This is the story of the events, personalities, defeats and victories which will be familiar to all those who lived through them, but seen through a new lens. It is also an argument about how Thatcher&rsquo;s legacy has continued down to the present. Not just John Major, but Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are her heirs and acolytes. And as the Conservative party reinvents itself as a viable political force once again, is the age of Thatcher finally over?

Simon Jenkins

From Tea Party to Trump

The global powerhouse that is the United States of America is younger even than the British Museum, Guinness and the flushing toilet. In 2026 it will celebrate its 250th birthday. How did this vast land, long inhabited by diverse indigenous cultures, come to be dominated by English speakers? How has it grappled with the stark contradictions between its ideals of liberty and the grim reality of genocide and slavery? 
 
This extraordinary collection of fifty distinct states has weathered immense – and recent – challenges, including a Civil War that was still raging as the first London Underground station opened. How did this melting pot of peoples and ideas not only endure but rise to dominate global politics, commerce, culture and warfare? What insights does this rich history offer about an increasingly divided nation – and the world that moves to its rhythm? Is this the twilight of American supremacy, signalling a shift toward a more introspective nation? 
 
A Short History of America is rich with vivid characters – from arrogant conquistadors and idealistic revolutionaries to imperial presidents – and presents a narrative so astonishing it often feels like fake news. This is a gripping must-read for anyone seeking to make sense of our world today.

Simon Jenkins

Books by Simon Jenkins

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