A level history book choice

[Louise]

My 16 year old has announced he actually wants to read a book ! Hes studying Britain gaining and losing an empire, 1763 - 1914 in his A- level history.
Any ideas greatfully received of any fiction or no fiction related to this time that's not too heavy to get him started ?
Its not really my genre so I don't know where to start..
Hes mentioned - East India company, slave trade, The changing nature and extent of trade, Navigations act

[Abigail]

I know one I think would be perfect! It's nonfiction but reads like an adventure story. For All the Tea in China: Espionage, Empire and the Secret Formula for the World's Favourite Drink by Sarah Rose. It's about a British adventurer, the aptly named Robert Fortune, who snuck into China rather comically disguised when it was illegal for Westerners to go there and stole both plant materials and the secrets to tea processing, so that the British could grow Chinese tea varieties in India. A rollicking tale with lots of icky elements that should appeal to a teenage boy (I guarantee he'll be squeamish about green tea forever more), and subtle anti-colonialism elements.

[Louise]

Fantastic, thank you. I might even read it myself !

[Abigail]

I'd say anyone would enjoy it.

[Fiona]

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Anything by Marcus Rediker, but especially Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age.

[S.E.]

As a textbook, I'd recommend Collins Britain 1783 to 1918 , by Murphy and Staton, really nice bite-size chunks of what can be quite heavy material about the politics of the time.
I enjoyed Ranter's Wharfif you want to think about the social movements for change, and he could watch a film maybe Peterloo?
Hard to beat, Rape of the Fair Country and How Green Was My Valley if you want something lighter? My son loved them when he was about that age, especially Cordell, he even voluntarily read more of the series after the first.

[Abigail]

I don't know that I'd call How Green Way My Valley light precisely, but it's a beautiful and deeply moving book. Great choice!

[S.E.]

Very fair point Abigail, but when you are sixteen, especially for boys I'm afraid, you need something gripping. It's exciting without being heavy reading.

[Sanford]

I like to peruse the back cover to determine if the time period and general overview appeal to me. Also, a brief description of how the characters fit into the plot is important.
As a writer of HF, I am careful to weave enough history into the plot but not be overwhelming.