Never Had It So Good: A History of Britain from Suez to the Beatles [Paperback]

For some reason reviews of Dominic Sandbrook's histories of Britain in the 50's & 60's - "Never Had It So Good" & "White Heat" - are duplicated under both titles. A little confusing, but actually sensible as the two books are in fact the first and second parts of a single work. Which is? A brilliant, highly entertaining and extremely well written social & political history of a country in a period of huge change.

"Never Had it so Good" starts in 1956 but also encompasses a much wider overview of the whole of the 50's while, quite wisely, ending pretty sharply in 1963 when "the 60's" - in terms of what the phrase has come to mean - really started. And, the period it explores in assiduously researched detail is quite fascinating: an under-estimated and often forgotten decade of massive change, the individual & combined impact of which on UK society make for thoroughly absorbing reading.

"White Heat" covers the years from 1963 to 1970, picking up seamlessly from where "Never Had it so Good" left off and applying the same diligent research to a period that has already received saturation coverage. A mixed blessing, for the enormous amount of source material causes Sandbrook some difficulties in marshalling it into a cohesive whole. On the plus side, the numerous diaries of key politicians aid him in producing what must be one of the most authoritative political & economic studies of the period, but, on the negative side, the sheer amount of available material on social & artistic events causes him problems in ensuring that things are given their correct level of importance. However, what he does do, quite superbly, is to capture the "feel" of the period: from the accelerating euphoria of 1963 to 1967 to the rapid unravelling of it all into a mood of "gloom & lost hope" between 1968 and 1970.

By the end - all 1,300 pages in total across the two books - you're left in little doubt that Dominic Sandbrook has achieved his goal of producing a definitive work. While "White Heat" occasionally loses its focus, this is a minor criticism of a hugely impressive feat of research & writing that will change your view of the 50's, add to your understanding of the 60's, and entertain and engross you on the way... which are just about the best accolades that can be given to any history books.

There are many good things to say about this book. It is well written - indeed it bowls along like a fine novel - informative, entertaining and intellegent. But perhaps above all what most impressed me is the beautiful balance Sandbrook achieves between the political, the economic and the cultural. All of these very different elements are given their due respect and place in his narrative and consequently they combine together to give a vivid impression of what life was really like in the Britain of the late 50s and early 60s.

All of the heavyweight political figures are given sufficient space to make them live as individuals: Eden, for example, a man of high principle touched with arrogance for whom, perhaps, the post of prime minister came at a stage in his life when he was a little past his peak; and Macmillan, the Edwardian gentleman who was a whole lot sharper than he ever let on. Similarly the economics of post war Britain is explained in a serious and meaningful, but never dry, fashion. Cabinet rumbles over inflationary and deflationary budget options contain, in Sandbrook's hands, moments of surprising high drama with resignations and often rather childish temper-tantrums being far from uncommon. Similarly the scandals of the time, and in particular the Profumo affair, are given excellent coverage. It wasn't until I had read this book that I fully understood just why the affair between a fairly low-level minister and the (frankly gorgeous) party girl Christine Keeler rocked the Macmillan government to its very core.

But for me what makes this book a real joy - and what puts it above many other volumes of a similar nature - is the attention given to the cultural figures of the time. There is an excellent chapter on the literary scene with colourful portrayals of Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin, John Osborne and Colin Wilson. The ground-breaking genius of the Beyond the Fringe gang is given an excellent account. The emergence of the Beatles as a genuinely revolutionary force both socially and musically is well covered; and the appeal of the Bond films - with their exotic glamour and charismatic, suave lead Sean Connery - to a population often mired in near-poverty and sadly colourless lives is beautifully and articulately explained. If you want to know what really mattered, culturally, economically and socially, to the people of Britain during the years between '56 and '63 whether they were upper, middle or working class then this is the book to get. If you were interested enough in the volume to read this review then I would have no hesitation in recommending you pick yourself up a copy straight away. It's both intelligent and a good read, and you really can't ask for more than that from any book.

This wide-ranging history of only a few years in the fifties and sixties is a clever blend of political, social and cultural history. Because it relies heavily on anecdote and narrative, it triumphantly passes the test of readability. But this is not narrative for narrative's sake: it uses story to present incisive insights into the nature of the times and to correct some of the myths associated with the age.

The politics of the time are brought to life with lively portraits of the leading politicians. The profile of Macmillan, for example, is a gem. The culture isn't confined to high culture but enlivened with memorable portraits of the Beatles, the spy novels of the time and the television shows that enraptured the UK in the seven years covered.

At the centre of the social history is the picture of a newly affluent society which may or may not have sacrificed its traditional or moral values. In the memorable chapter, "Live Now, Pay Later" social and economic history are cleverly woven together. And in "The Provincial All-Stars" you get an equally impressive blend of culture and economics, not to mention a vivid portrait of Kingsley Amis.

This very long history will not be an endurance test for most readers. Like me, they will find themselves returning to it eagerly and even more eagerly waiting for volume 2, which according to this site, is due next year. I can hardly wait!