The History of England: All Six Volumes gathers David Hume's sweeping narrative from Roman conquest to the Revolution Settlement of 1688, interweaving political events with changes in manners, religion, and commerce. Written in lucid, balanced prose, the work rejects triumphalist Whig teleology, testing chronicles against evidence and probability. Hume's portraits of Tudor and Stuart monarchs-Henry VIII's statecraft, Elizabeth's prudence, Charles I's tragic rigidity-anchor broader reflections on constitutional change, religious zeal, and the growth of civil society. Its blend of philosophical skepticism with narrative elegance made it the quintessential Enlightenment national history. A leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, Hume approached history as a "science of man," refining the empiricism of his Treatise and Essays through archival labor. His tenure as Keeper of the Advocates Library in Edinburgh furnished unparalleled access to manuscripts, while his desire for wider readership and financial independence spurred the project. Cosmopolitan experiences in France and Britain, and his suspicion of religious enthusiasm, shaped his evenhanded yet controversial reassessment of the Stuarts and the constitutional myths of post-1688 Britain. Scholars, students, and curious readers will find a lucid companion to modern research-at once critical, pleasurable to read, and foundational to British historical writing.
Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the author's voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readable-distilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Author Biography · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.
