Feel unfortunate that I could not be in London for the 800th anniversary of the 1215 Magna Carta. This book is definately a great second prize as it displays most of the exhibits in wonderful color. I'm a fan of the format of the book, which consists of essays interrupted by beautiful photographs of the exhibitions and accompanying descriptions. The content of the essays are thought provoking, instead of following empty slogans and historical tropes, they bring a critical eye towards what the magna carta actually said and what it did not. The book excellently describes the history of the magna carta, and the evolution in its interpretation. Interesting to note is that the book's main thesis is that the magna carta of 1215, was a political gap stop that failed and would have only applied to around 10% of the population at the time. The importance, the book claims, of the magna carta is the interpretations of the magna carta by later lawyers, laymen and politicians. Would have liked more detail on Edward Coke, who seems supremely important in the expansion of the magna carta. Definately a coffee table book and fun read! ( )

Catalog of a major exhibit at the British Library marking the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, including not only the chatter itself and material related to its creation but also material on its later use to claim liberties in the 17th and 18th centuries and references to it down through to Nelson Mandela and others today. ( )