'A magnificent achievement. Hannan's prose coruscates, and he has a fine eye for anecdotal detail. He bestrides the Atlantic like a majestic combination of Winston Churchill and Piers Morgan' Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. 'A brilliant book, and among the most readable works of political theory I have ever come across' Andrew Roberts. 'A very enjoyable, engaging and robust work' Evening Standard. 'Well constructed and researched' Financial Times. 'Hannan sweeps us through English history with incredible ingenuity' Daily Telegraph. 'Well written, well researched, well worth reading' Observer. 'Hannan creates a sparkling narrative that deserves to be read ... his rational optimism will provide not just an insightful look at the past, but also a beacon pointing to a future' Catholic Herald.

Daniel Hannan has been Conservative MEP for South East England since 1999. His speech against Gordon Brown in 2010 is the most watched political video in Britain. He blogs regularly at www.hannan.co.uk and for the Daily Telegraph.