This anthology investigates the multifaceted and often contradictory character of England through a curated selection of literary and historical perspectives. Richard Ingrams, a noted editor and satirist, compiles these diverse writings to construct a mosaic of the English identity. By drawing on observations from both native writers and foreign visitors, the collection examines the nation's social customs, landscapes, and cultural idiosyncrasies across several centuries.

The selection reflects a deliberate editorial focus on the eccentricities and enduring tropes associated with English life. The work serves as a comprehensive, albeit subjective, survey of how the nation has been perceived and documented by a wide array of literary figures.