Top 11 Favourite history books

Winston Churchill History of the English Speaking Peoples A Four Volume history of Britain (OK, mostly England) which combines a great deal of information with a real desire to entertain. Churchill enjoys his subject and is eminently readable. A good general overview of English history.
The Oxford History of England Various Authors Another general overview of the history of England but on a much larger scale and containing a great deal more information. This is a series I find useful as general reference. The sections are all clearly marked, there are maps, tables etc. A good, solid reference work.
Rubicon Tom Holland This book is such fun. Tom Holland manages to capture that cusp moment when Julius Caesar takes the step which will plunge the Roman Empire into civil war. It's the definitive make or break moment. A hugely entertaining read.
The History of England from the Succession of James II Thomas Babington Macaulay A masterful work of style and wit. Macaulay has been criticised many times for his ardent Whiggish approach to history and admittedly it does have a warping effect upon his views but that does detract from his literary abilities and his fascinating insights. These books concentrate upon quite a narrow time period and yet it is one of the most important for the development of England and then the United Kingdom. It closely follows the Stuart bungling of Parliamentary/Monarchical relations and shows how Britain transformed into a nation ready for what he terms 'The Glorious Revolution' when William (the Durch Stadtholder) was invited to take over the country. In that so few lives were lost then it was truly a glorious revolution.
The Rise and Fall of British Naval Mastery Paul Kennedy Paul Kennedy seems to specialise in analysing large scale trends which affect many nations. Here he studies British naval power from Tudor times until mid 20th century. He follows British foreign policy as it plays a delicate balancing act in Europe. A small player on the world stage turning to sea power as the cheaper defence strategy and making it work to an extent undreamed of in Tudor times. Anyone who enjoys playing the world domination god sims such as Total War and Civilisation will love this book
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Edward Gibbon There's not much can be said about Gibbon which hasn't already been said. He's a masterful writer who cares about that which he describes and argues passionately when trying to make his case. Rome declined and fell but took a long time about it. Gibbon shows us the power of Rome and follows the cracks as they appear in this giant edifice.
Cromwell, Our Chief of Men Antonia Fraser This was probably the first fully fledged history book I ever read and I retain a soft spot for it still. I remember developing a fascination for the English Civil War and this sated my curiousity most satisfactorily.
Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation Bede The first book of English history. Intriguing for its insight into a world that now looks very alien indeed. If you're looking for the origins of England and Englishness then this is probably the place to start.
Blenheim - Battle for Europe Charles Spencer This is a rollicking good read by a descendant of the first Duke of Marlborough. Good fun.
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers Paul Kennedy Paul Kennedy, yet again producing some sweeping assertions backed up by some fascinating data. The rise and fall of nations can be viewed largely as co-inciding with the health of their economy and the ability of a nation to cope with the various demands made upon it. Often the larger an empire becomes then the more thinly stretched are resources to control and maintain that empire.
The Twelve Caesars Suetonius A classic and wonderfully scandalous. The version I have is translated by Robert Graves and has an introduction by Michael Grant.