This title presents a readable introduction to British institutions, attitudes and daily life.

1. Country and people; Geographically speaking; Politically speaking; The four nations; The dominance of England; National loyalties; 2. History; Prehistory; The Roman period (43-410); The Germanic invasions (410-1066); The medieval period (1066-1485); The sixteenth century; The seventeenth century; The eighteenth century; The nineteenth century; The twentieth century; 3. Geography; Climate; Land and settlement; The environment and pollution; London; Southern England; The Midlands; Northern England; Scotland; Wales; Northern Ireland; 4. Identity; Ethnic identity: the native British; Ethnic identity: the non-native British; The family; Geographical identity; Class; Men and women; Religious and political identity; Social and everyday contacts; Identity in Northern Ireland; Being British; 5. Attitudes; Stereotypes and change; English versus British; Multiculturalism; Conservatism; Being different; The love of nature; The love of animals; Formality and informality; Public spiritedness and amateurism; Privacy and sex; 6. Political life; The public attitude to politics; The style of democracy; The constitution; The style of politics; The party system; The modern situation; 7. The monarchy; The appearance; The reality; The role of the monarch; The value of the monarchy; The future of the monarchy; 8. The government; The Cabinet; The Prime Minister; The Civil Service; Central and local government; Local government services; 9. Parliament; The atmosphere of Parliament; An MP's life; Parliamentary business; The party system in Parliament; The House of Lords; 10. Elections; The system; Formal arrangements; The campaign; Polling day; Election night; Recent results and the future; 11. The law; The police and the public; Crime and criminal procedure; The system of justice; The legal profession; 12. International relations; The end of empire; The armed forces; Transatlantic relations; The sovereignty of the union: Europe; The sovereignty of the union: Scotland and Wales; The sovereignty of the union: Northern Ireland; 13. Religion; Religion and politics; Anglicanism; Catholicism; Other conventional Christian churches; Other religions, churches and religious movements; 14. Education; Historical background; Organization; Style; Recent developments; School life; Public exams; Education beyond sixteen; 15. The economy and everyday life; Earning money; Work organizations; The structure of trade and industry; The distribution of wealth; Finance and investment; Spending money: shopping; Shop opening hours; 16. The media; The importance of the national press; The two types of national newspaper; The characteristics of the national press: politics; The characteristics of the national press: sex and scandal; The BBC; Television: organization; Television: style; 17. Transport; On the road; Public transport in towns and cities; Public transport between towns and cities; The story of the chunnel; Air and water; 18. Welfare; The benefits system; Social services and charities; The national health service; The medical profession; 19. Housing; Houses, not flats; Private property and public property; The importance of 'home'; Individuality and conformity; Interiors: the importance of cosiness; Owning and renting; Homelessness; 20. Food and drink; Attitudes to food; Eating out; Alcohol; Pubs; 21. Sport and competition; A national passion; The social importance of sport; Cricket; Football; Rugby; Animals in sport; Other sports; Gambling; 22. The arts; The arts in society; The characteristics of British arts and letters; Theatre and cinema; Music; Literature; The fine arts; 23. Holidays and special occasions; Traditional seaside holidays; Modern holidays; Christmas and New Year; Other notable annual occasions