Perhaps the last one-man reference work in the tradition of Dr Johnson

The Companion to British History by Charles Arnold-Baker OBE 
of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-law
formerly Visiting Professor to the City University

Longcross Press 1996, 1386pp £48

There is nothing like this reference work, which has been badly needed for many years. It is for anyone with a taste for the history of the British peoples, or professionally or academically concerned with it.
        Assembled over a period of 30 years in the Universities of Oxford, the City of London, Vienna and Zurich, it embraces the things which form the national atmosphere from commerce, wars, statesmanship, to transport, colonies and even cookery.
        The Author also covers, besides the details of the constitution, local history,. local administration and much technical material such as law, navigational and piratical hazards.

Charles Arnold-Baker

Born in Berlin during World War I, educated at Winchester and Magdalen College Oxford, the author repudiated his German nationality and served as an officer in the British Army throughout World War II, during which time he commanded Winston Churchill's bodyguard and was in M16. He took part in the liberation of Belgium and Norway, where he was decorated.
        From 1948 he practised at the bar in shipping and parliament, and in 1953 became Secretary-General of the National Association of Local Councils. This involved dealing with politicians, ministries and legislation besides business at Brussels and Strasbourg, and membership of a Royal Commission. At one time a Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford, from 1977 he taught Law and Architecture, as a visiting professor, at the City University and was, till 1990, a Traffic Commissioner. Among his many broadcasts his two series For He Is An Englishman on BBC Radio 4 are widely acclaimed.
        His other published works include
Everyman's Dictionary of Dates, The 5000, a summary of the British Constitution, Local Council Administration, the standard commentary on the Local Government Acts of 1972 and 1980 and Practical Law for Arts Administrators.
        He was awarded the OBE for his work in local government.

Enquiries to the author at 34 St James' Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN1 2JZ