Recommend good book to learn about UK history?

Hola!

I previously posted a note introducing myself and I had an addendum to it.. I am moving to the UK in may and I would like to learn more about the UK government and its history. Can anyone recommend a good book or website that is an easy read and can help me get familiar with the social history of the UK?

I haven't found a book but the series "The Seven Ages of Britain" is brilliant.  You should be able to get it on DVD. 

Probably the Simon Schama series - History of Britain

Probably the Simon Schama series - History of Britain

Second that.  Also Churchill's History of the English-speaking peoples

Here's a couple of titles on more recent history:

Marquand, David.  Britain since 1918: the strange career of British democracy. 2008.

Pugh, Martin.  State and society: a social and political history of Britain since 1870. 3rd ed. 2008.

Second that.  Also Churchill's History of the English-speaking peoples

The latter is appalling. As the author admitted.

In what way?

Probably the Simon Schama series - History of Britain

I own this and have really enjoyed it.  It is the highlights of Britain's history through out the ages. 

In what way?

Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples was commissioned and largely written in the 1930s when Churchill badly needed money, but it was put aside when war broke out in 1939, being finally issued after he left office for the last time in 1955. Although it contains much fine writing, it is very old-fashioned, seeing world history as a one-dimensional pageant of battles and speeches, kings and statesmen, in which the English occupy central stage. Events of central importance to modern history, such as the industrial revolution, are scarcely mentioned. Although Churchill's enormous prestige ensured that the books were respectfully received and sold well, they are now little read.

Yes, but its an historical perspective from that time in which he was writing. 

it is very old-fashioned, seeing world history as a one-dimensional pageant of battles and speeches, kings and statesmen, in which the English occupy central stage.

You ought to try reading Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England!  

You ought to try reading Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England!  

Or Jane Austen's History of England, which is a spoof.  See, I think those sorts of things are interesting because they reflect on the times when they were written.

Or Jane Austen's History of England, which is a spoof.  See, I think those sorts of things are interesting because they reflect on the times when they were written.

As long as you're aware of that then, yes, they can be really interesting. I'm very fond of the Charles Dickens, to be honest.

Personally I prefer EP Thompson to Winston Churchill. Someone is going to mention H G Wells in a minute, I have a feeling...

I'm a fan of Jeremy Black's "Modern British History since 1900" :-)

granted, that only covers since 1900!

Another book I quite like is John O'Farrell's "An Utterly Impartial History of Britain". But its mostly a silly book! :-)