This is a really interesting read. Dynasties looks at the origins, history, influence and legacy of some of those noble English families who have survived into the 21st century; in many cases due, in no small part, to the huge appeal of modern country house tourism. The author handles what could be a convoluted and complex story with real skill. Each chapter deals with a different family, giving an excellent snapshot of the key figures, events and places that made them. I was particularly pleased to see the author include a number of women in his summaries, as this kind of dynastic history is so often dominated by the men who held the titles. Where families are interlinked (which they are often thanks to many an aristocratic marriage!) simple family trees help to illuminate the way key figures are connected. There's also a brief history of each family's estate and houses, which adds a level of interest to anyone who enjoys visiting these famous stately homes and is familiar with the places being discussed. The book is very well written and is very easy to read, making it feel very accessible to people who perhaps aren't familiar with the history. What could have been a very dense and repetitive story is written in a really engaging way, each chapter divided into bitesize stories that help move the narrative along. I rattled through it in a few days. Highly recommended.

This is a really interesting read. Dynasties looks at the origins, history, influence and legacy of some of those noble English families who have survived into the 21st century; in many cases due, in no small part, to the huge appeal of modern country house tourism. The author handles what could be a convoluted and complex story with real skill. Each chapter deals with a different family, giving an excellent snapshot of the key figures, events and places that made them. I was particularly pleased to see the author include a number of women in his summaries, as this kind of dynastic history is so often dominated by the men who held the titles. Where families are interlinked (which they are often thanks to many an aristocratic marriage!) simple family trees help to illuminate the way key figures are connected. There's also a brief history of each family's estate and houses, which adds a level of interest to anyone who enjoys visiting these famous stately homes and is familiar with the places being discussed. The book is very well written and is very easy to read, making it feel very accessible to people who perhaps aren't familiar with the history. What could have been a very dense and repetitive story is written in a really engaging way, each chapter divided into bitesize stories that help move the narrative along. I rattled through it in a few days. Highly recommended.