书名：The History of England 麦考莱英国史
作者：Thomas Babington Macaulay
出版社名称：Penguin Classics
出版时间：1979
语种：英文 
ISBN：9780140431339
商品尺寸：13 x 2.7 x 19.8 cm
包装：平装
页数：576

英国19世纪史家麦考莱所著The History of England《麦考莱英国史》，是西方浩繁史著当中至为辉煌的作品之一。该书所述英国史事始于詹姆斯二世时期，恰好上承大卫·休谟的著名史著；而从文笔上论，麦考莱也继承了休谟与吉本的史学传统，连同托马斯·卡莱尔等人一起，使得19世纪的英国史学臻于高峰。《麦考莱英国史》虽然记述的主要是1688年光荣革命前后17年的历史，却浓缩了千年英国的历史命运，不但是英国自诺曼登陆以来的传统命脉，而且更是未来英帝国雄风的发轫，因而是一部厚重无比的长篇巨构。
One of the greatest figures of his age, Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-59) was widely admired throughout his life for his prose, poetry, political acumen and oratorical skills. Among the most successful and enthralling histories ever written, his "History of England" won instantaneous success following the publication of its first volumes in 1849, and was rapidly translated into most European languages. Beginning with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and concluding at the end of the reign of William III in 1702, it illuminates a time of deep struggle throughout Britain and Ireland in vivid and compelling prose. But while Macaulay offers a gripping narrative, and draws on a wide range of sources including historical accounts and creative literature, his enduring success also owes a great deal to his astonishing ability to grasp, and explain, the political reality that has always underpinned social change.

The History of England《麦考莱英国史》着重记述自1685年詹姆斯二世即位至1702年威廉三世逝世17年间的历史，实际上是一部以“光荣革命”为中心、关于这一事件过程及其前因后果的详细记录。麦考莱认为光荣革命是成功的妥协，是一次幸福革命，而且是zui后一次革命。他呼吁英国人民满足于现状，维护现存制度。这本书是西方浩繁史著当中至为辉煌的作品之一，也是休谟《英国史》的姊妹篇。

托马斯·麦考莱（1800—1859），是英国19世纪中期著名的诗人、史学家，也曾经供职于政府机要部门。麦考莱一生都对古典文学保持着浓厚的兴趣和极大的热情，尤其是以对古典希腊文学的研究和造诣，让他引以为傲。他自学德语、荷兰语、西班牙语，并操有一口流利的法语。1847年，麦考莱在爱丁堡竞选失败，从而退出政界。此后，他开始撰写《英国史》，从而成就了他一生中杰出的作品。
Thomas Babington Macaulay(1800-59) was widely admired throughout his life for his prose, poetry, political acumen and oratorical skills. Among the most successful and enthralling histories ever written, his History of England won instantaneous success following the publication of its first volumes in 1849, and was rapidly translated into most European languages.

I PURPOSE to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living. I shall recount the errors which, in a few months, alienated a loyal gentry and priesthood from the House of Stuart. I shall trace the course of that revolution which terminated the long struggle between our sovereigns and their parliaments, and bound up together the rights of the people and the title of the reigning dynasty. I shall relate how the new settlement was, during many troubled years, successfully defended against foreign and domestic enemies; how, under that settlement, the authority of law and the security of property were found to be compatible with a liberty of discussion and of individual action never before known; how, from the auspicious union of order and freedom, sprang a prosperity of which the annals of human affairs had furnished no example; how our country, from a state of ignominious vassalage, rapidly rose to the place of umpire among European powers; how her opulence and her martial glory grew together; how, by wise and resolute good faith, was gradually established a public credit fruitful of marvels which to the statesmen of any former age would have seemed incredible; how a gigantic commerce gave birth to a maritime power, compared with which every other maritime power, ancient or modern, sinks into insignificance; how Scotland, after ages of enmity, was at length united to England, not merely by legal bonds, but by indissoluble ties of interest and affection; how, in America, the British colonies rapidly became mightier and wealthier than the realms which Cortes and Pizarro had added to the dominions ofCharles the Fifth; how, in Asia, British adventurers founded an empire not less splendid and more durable than that of Alexander.
Nor will it be less my duty faithfully to record disasters mingled with triumphs, and great national crimes and follies far more humiliating than any disaster. It will be seen that even what we justly account our chief blessings were not without alloy. It will be seen that the system which effectually secured our liberties against the encroachments of kingly power gave birth to a new class of abuses from which absolute monarchies are exempt. It will be seen that, in consequence partly of unwise interference, and partly of unwise neglect, the increase of wealth and the extension of trade produced, together with immense good, some evils from which poor and rude societies are free. It will be seen how, in two important dependencies of the crown, wrong was followed by just retribution; how imprudence and obstinacy broke the ties which bound the North American colonies to the parent state; how Ireland, cursed by the domination of race over race, and of religion over religion, remained indeed a member of the empire, but a withered and distorted member, adding no strength to the body politic, and reproachfully pointed at by all who feared or envied the greatness of England.