Eighteen

At eighteen, your life is full of of what-ifs and why-nots. You have everything to look forward to – unless you've got the plague . . .

What happens if the First World War breaks out while you're at university?

How does a young woman, born without arms or legs, make a living in Georgian London?

What turns a rugby-obsessed teenager from a Welsh mining town into Richard Burton?

In this unconventional and witty history, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain's past, exploring the country through eighteen notable figures at that most formative age – eighteen. From a young Elizabeth Tudor facing deadly intrigue at court, to Empress Matilda already changing the fate of nations, Eighteen invites readers to join an eclectic cast of young Britons across the nation and throughout its history.

Filled with fascinating stories of royalty, explorers, writers and entertainers, Eighteen asks what lessons we can learn for modern Britain.