It appeared in nine volumes between 1996 and 2018, with many of the individual works subsequently being republished in several editions.
Collectively, the books in the series span the period 54 BC to 1990 and include: The series is primarily envisaged as a narrative history of Britain, intended to update the "Whiggish" approach of older studies.
It was particularly intended to supersede the Pelican History of England (1950–1965) which, though influential, was considered "dated".
[2][3] The series was intended to engage with "the fact of decline, political, imperial, military and economic" in British power.
It was framed as "consciously British" (rather than English) and put particular "focus on Britain’s world position primarily with reference to the 'three circles' of Europe, the Empire and the United States".