Pan Mac pre-empts Loxton's 'unconventional and witty' book about historical icons aged 18

Pan Macmillan has pre-empted historian Alice Loxton’s Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives.

Mike Harpley, publishing director in Pan non-fiction, acquired world rights from Caroline Hardman at Hardman & Swainson as part of a pre-emptive deal. The book will be published through the Macmillan imprint in hardback, e-book and audio in August 2024. 

Pan Macmillan said: “In this unconventional and witty book, social media historian, acclaimed author and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain’s past, exploring the country though 18 notable figures at the formative age of 18. From a young Empress Matilda, already shaping the fate of nations, to Richard Burton, the rugby-obsessed teenager who grew up in a Welsh mining town, each journey unpicks a different era of Britain. 

“Irreverent and full of fascinating tidbits — did you know Chaucer began his career as a scantily clad pageboy? — Loxton investigates the early life of some of our most influential icons. Building a rich mosaic of the country’s past, Loxton asks what lessons we can take for modern Britain and how it treats its young – and why the answers might not be what you think.” 

Harpley said: “In a short time, Alice has become one of the most prominent young historians in the world. Her unique brand of infectious enthusiasm and exhaustive knowledge have endeared her to millions of followers online. This book builds on those strengths: it is a great deal of fun but also reveals a lot about Britain through the ages. I can’t wait to publish it.” 

Loxton said: ‘Writing Eighteen has been an absolute joy. What young people have achieved and endured over the years is quite astonishing – fighting off polar bears, surviving pirate attacks, commanding nations, living through plagues and changing the course of scientific understanding.” 

She added: “This book is not only a portrait of Britain, but also asks a wider question: what does it mean to be 18? And what does this mean for 18-year-olds today? By looking at over a thousand years of teenage history, I hope readers will find the answer uplifting, inspiring and lots of fun.” 

Loxton is an experienced writer and broadcaster, regularly presenting documentaries and appearing on television across History Hit, Channel 4 and the BBC.

She is the author of Uproar: Scandal, Satire and Printmakers in Georgian London (Icon Books), nominated for Blackwell’s Book of the Year and has worked for organisations including The National Trust, The Royal Collection Trust, Manchester Museum and The National Portrait Gallery.