So That's Why They Call It Great Britain

In this quirky new book, Steve Pope reveals the stories behind some of the world's most remarkable inventions and discoveries - and all of them are British.


Presented in an easy to read A-Z format, So That's Why They Call It Great Britain is quite simply crammed full of fascinating facts.


For example, did you know we gave the world chocolate bars, fizzy drinks, the flushing loo, computers and the iPod ?


We also came up with the cash machine, safari parks, the collapsible umbrella, the light bulb and text messaging. 


Of course there were more serious inventions too like ibuprofen, anaesthetics, innoculations and antibiotics. We unlocked the DNA code, produced the world's first test tube baby and invented ultrasound.


Trains, planes and automobiles revolutionised the way we travel and our advancements with computer technology gave everyone the world wide web.


Not bad for a country which covers less than half of one per cent of the earth’s land mass. 


Our agricultural and industrial revolutions changed the way the world ate and worked, our legal and political system has been copied across the globe, our explorers discovered new lands and our language is spoken everywhere.


Most of the world’s major sports originated here and the television set that they are watched on was also invented by a Brit.


And we lead the world in one other thing: self-deprecation. This book shows – without boasting, and with tons of humour, unknown facts and weird stories – just why our country is called GREAT Britain.